North Carolina’s Free Throws Negate Clemson’s Home Edge

Jerry Stackhouse, held to one point in the first half, scored eight during a key second-half stretch, sparking No. 4 North Carolina to an 83-66 victory over No. 18 Clemson on Saturday.

The bigger Tar Heels, 12-1 overall and 3-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, eventually wore down Clemson (10-2, 1-2), which was called for 32 fouls to North Carolina’s nine. The disparity also wore on Tiger Coach Rick Barnes, who received a double technical and ejection with 28 seconds to play.

North Carolina made 34 of 51 free throws, both season highs. Clemson was only three for seven on foul shots.

“I took an early leave tonight,” Barnes said. “I can’t say anything about it, but you saw the game, you look at the box score and write about it.”

Dante Calabria led the Tar Heels with 18 points. Stackhouse finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Freshman Greg Buckner had 21 points for the Tigers, who lost for the second time in a row.