University of North Carolina Athletics
June 21, 1999 | General
1982 -- An NCAA Title at The Superdome
James Worthy scored 28 points and Michael Jordan hit a late jump shot for the winning field goal as North Carolina edged Georgetown, 63-62, in the NCAA championship game at The Superdome in New Orleans.
Worthy, the Final Four MVP, was brilliant as he hit 13 of 17 shots from the floor and had three steals. Jordan, playing probably the best all-around game of his freshman season, nailed a 17-footer from the left of the key with 15 seconds remaining to give Carolina its final 63-62 advantage.
The Tar Heels got the ball back moments later when Fred Brown saw Worthy out of the corner of his eye, mistook for one of his teammates and pitched the ball to him. The Tar Heel forward tried to dribble out the clock, but was fouled with two seconds left. Although he missed both free throws, Sleepy Floyds long throw was way short of the Hoya basket.
Patrick Ewing had 23 points to lead the Hoyas. He was called for goaltending on each of Carolinas first four baskets as he tried to intimidate the Tar Heels inside. Floyd added 18 for Georgetown.
The Hoyas led 31-31 at halftime. The biggest lead in the game was six points by the Hoyas in the first 20 minutes.
A sensational high arching left-handed layup by Jordan over Ewing with 3:26 left gave Carolina a three-point lead, 61-58. But, Ewing scored on a jumper from the lane on Georgetowns next possession. After a missed UNC free throw Floyd hit a 10-foot jump shot to give the Hoyas a 62-61 lead.
Tar Heel Coach Dean Smith called timeout with 32 seconds left to set up a play. Jordan got the shot with Worthy and Sam Perkins crashing the boards for an offensive rebound. There wasnt one as the freshman guard swished the open shot.
