GoHeels Exclusive: Putting His Stamp On The Season

by Pat James, GoHeels.com

The comeback seemed likely, the shot nearly improbable.

But when Joel Berry II made a 3-pointer with 4.1 seconds left in Tuesday's game against Miami, tying the score at 88, it felt like North Carolina had done everything needed to overcome a 16-point deficit and win Berry and Theo Pinson's final game at the Smith Center.

Seconds later, Berry watched as Miami's Ja'Quan Newton made a running 3-pointer from inside the midcourt line at the buzzer. The shot sealed the Hurricanes' 91-88 upset win.

"That's the shot we wanted them to take, and it just so happened to go in," Berry said. "There's really nothing you can do about it. I'm stunned. I always think that if we go into overtime, that's going to be our game. But he stepped up and hit a big-time shot."

Berry made his fair share, as well. And although the Tar Heels lost, he delivered one of the best performances of his stellar career on Senior Night.

With 31 points, Berry tied his career high that he set on Jan. 3, 2017 at Clemson. He finished 11-for-17 from the field, including 5-for-8 on 3-pointers. It marked the third time this season and seventh time in his career he made five or more 3-pointers in a game.

"Joel is an unbelievable player," Luke Maye said, "and for him to play like he did tonight just speaks volumes on how he is as a player and what he does."

Berry's effort was needed in a game that UNC led 18-10 early, only to see Miami respond with an 18-3 run to seize a 28-21 lead. The Hurricanes used that run to enter halftime with a 44-36 lead. Berry had only six points at the break.

Miami extended its lead to 16 points early in the second half. But Berry helped the Tar Heels stay afloat before asserting himself offensively in the waning minutes.

"I'm just trying to put my stamp on this season …" he said. "I don't necessarily do it for myself. I do it for my team because I want us to win and I want us to be the best we can be. And if that's me having to hit shots for our team, I'm willing to do that."

Beginning with 6:48 left, Berry made his final six shots. He scored 19 of his 25 second-half points during that stretch, helping him surpass Wayne Ellington, Rick Fox, Billy Cunningham, Brice Johnson and Rashad McCants and move into 16th place on UNC's all-time scoring list with 1,723 points.

The Tar Heels pulled within a point four times during the final 1:50. But after Newton pushed the Hurricanes' lead back to three with nine seconds left, Berry answered with his game-tying 3-pointer.

"I knew if he got it off cleanly it would have a chance," said Pinson, whose 11 assists were the most by a Tar Heel since Berry had 11 against Appalachian State on Dec. 21, 2015. "He's made big-time shots like that his whole career here. Even in high school, he made shots like that.

"I'm proud of him. He kept us in that game and made big-time plays."

But they weren't enough.

Newton's heave off his left foot snapped UNC's six-game winning streak. And as the Hurricanes mobbed Newton near midcourt, Berry sauntered past them, approached the bench and placed his hands on his knees. The officials needed to review the shot. But Berry clearly knew it was good.

He had done almost all he could do, led like only he can. Yet not even a loss in his final home game could deter him from continuing to do so for the rest of this season.

"I know I won't get a chance to play on this court again," Berry said, during his postgame Senior Night speech. "But it's been a pleasure to play in front of you guys. And just to let y'all know, we lost this game, but the season is not over. Just know that if you've got me and Theo leading this team, don't ever count us out."

Players Mentioned

Joel Berry II

Luke Maye

Theo Pinson

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