Tar Heels fall short in Cal showdown after late rally fizzles

Carolina trailed Cal by 15 at halftime and couldn’t sustain a comeback as Cal shot 55.9% from the field (62.5% from three) in the first half. UNC’s defense struggled on the West Coast, and a late surge went 4-for-19 from three in the final 10 minutes, sealing an 84-78 loss. Derek Dixon started and urged better defense; Veesaar had 14 points and 10 rebounds, Wilson contributed late free throws and a late miss, and Hubert Davis acknowledged the team faced adversity and must fight through it.