University of North Carolina Athletics
On This Day in Carolina History
June 21, 1999 | General
1946 -- Hook Dillon Leads UNC Past Buckeyes
John "Hook" Dillon scored 16 points and Jim Jordan added 12 as North Carolina toppled Ohio State in overtime, 60-57, in the NCAA Eastern Finals at Madison Square Garden.
The victory sent the Tar Heels to the national championship game against Western champ Oklahoma A&M.
The battle with the Buckeyes started slowly with neither team scoring a point for five minutes. In fact, Ohio State didnt score a field goal for over 10 minutes. Still the game was close until an 11-point Tar Heel run pushed them ahead, 17-6. But, by intermission, the Buckeyes had a 20-19 advantage.
With Jack Underman scoring inside, Ohio State took a 34-27 lead early in the second half. When Bones McKinney fouled out midway through the final period, the Buckeyes seemed in complete control.
However, Coach Ben Carnevales pressing defense began to pay off and Carolina climbed back into the game. Bob Paxtons long jumper with 20 seconds left finally tied the game, 54-54, and forced overtime.
In overtime, Don Anderson and Dillon got the key baskets as Carolina outscored the Buckeyes, 6-3.
Despite his foul problems McKinney finished with nine points and Paxton added eight. Underman had 23 for Ohio State.
