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University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Charleston
College Of Charleston Downs UNC, 66-60, In Tournament Of Champions
December 21, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Dec 21, 2001
By JENNA FRYER
AP Sports Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Troy Wheless scored 21 points and Jeff Bolton added 18 to lead College of Charleston to a 66-60 victory over North Carolina in the Hardee's Tournament of Champions on Friday night, the first time in 10 years the Tar Heels will not play in the championship game.
The Cougars (7-1) will Georgia State on Saturday night for the title, while North Carolina (2-5) plays No. 15 Saint Joseph's in the consolation game.
North Carolina, which had won 20 of 22 games in this tournament, last loss came in 1998 when College of Charleston beat the Tar Heels in the 1998 championship game. The Tar Heels have won this tournament nine times.
But they were overmatched this time, losing to a quicker, more experienced College of Charleston team. The Cougars outrebounded North Carolina 43-30, grabbed 14 turnovers and rushed the Tar Heels into poor shots, resulting in 32 percent shooting, including 9-of-27 from 3-point range.
Jason Capel led North Carolina with 14 points and 10 rebounds and Will Johnson also scored 14.
But leading scorer Kris Lang, who averages 14.3 points, was bothered by a strained ligament in his knee and scored just seven points. Plus, he apparently passed on the stomach virus he had been suffering to a few teammates.
Adding insult to the loss, a Carolina fan threw a bag of peanuts onto the court after a call went against the Tar Heels with 8:59 to play and College of Charleston leading 48-45.
Police quickly escorted the fan out of the Coliseum and North Carolina coach Matt Doherty grabbed a microphone and implored the fans not to throw anything on the court.
