CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Jamarius Burton made the game-winning foul shots with three seconds left, Nike Sibande recorded a late block and the University of Pittsburgh continued its recent bedevilment of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, beating the Tar Heels 65-64 on Wednesday night.
The Panthers (16-7, 9-3 ACC) now have won three straight against North Carolina — including three straight at the Smith Center — and five of the last six meetings over the last four seasons.
After Burton’s free throws, North Carolina pushed it to the front court and called timeout with 0.6 seconds left before Sibande came up with a block of Caleb Love as time expired.
Nelly Cummings scored 21 points on 8-for-11 shooting for Pitt before fouling out with 1:47 left. Burton scored 19 and Sibande 10.
Love scored 22 points for North Carolina (15-7, 7-4), Armando Bacot scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Pete Nance scored 13. Bacot made just 3-of-10 shot attempts while going 9-for-15 from the foul line.
North Carolina used a 13-2 run early in the second half to take a 46-40 lead with 12:50 left. But the Panthers countered with their own 13-2 outburst, good for a 53-48 lead five minutes later.
Pitt will take a break from action and return to the court when it hosts Louisville on Feb. 7. North Carolina visits rival Duke on Saturday.