RJ Davis achieves a historic performance at the level of an All-American against Miami, setting records in the process.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — RJ Davis lingered longest on the court after North Carolina’s shoot-around on Monday, preceding their game against Miami at home.
Despite his struggle in the previous game against Virginia in Charlottesville, where he shot just 1-14 and scored 12 points, Davis bounced back impressively on Monday in the Dean E. Smith Center.
He erupted for 42 points on 14-22 shooting, leading North Carolina to a 75-71 victory. Davis’s remarkable scoring spree marked the highest individual point total in the 38-year history of the Smith Center, cementing his place as the 10th UNC player to score 40 or more points in a game.
No other Tar Heel managed to score more than eight points that night.
Hubert Davis, North Carolina’s coach, lauded RJ Davis’s performance, emphasizing the crucial contribution of his 42-point effort to the team’s success.
In a crucial moment, RJ Davis showcased his skills at an All-American level, dominating both from beyond the arc and inside with driving layups and floaters. He set a career-high by sinking seven 3-pointers on 11 attempts.
Davis’s scoring spree began with a long-range 3-pointer before halftime, signaling his determination to elevate the team’s energy level. His vocal leadership during halftime spurred his teammates to raise their intensity for the second half.
Throughout the game, Davis demonstrated his scoring prowess, particularly during a stretch after the under-eight timeout, where he connected on four consecutive 3-pointers within a three-minute span. His diverse scoring arsenal included step-back dribbles, spot-up shots, and even a crossover move to create space for his shots.
As Davis’s point total climbed, the crowd in the Smith Center erupted into chants of his name, acknowledging his extraordinary performance.
