Alabama Tops UNC 94-79 in Challenge

In a decisive matchup, No. 10 Alabama defeated No. 20 North Carolina 94-79 in the SEC/ACC Challenge, marking the Tar Heels' third consecutive loss. Alabama's Mark Sears led the scoring with 20 points, supported by five other players in double figures, while UNC's Ian Jackson had a standout performance with a career-high 23 points. The game saw North Carolina struggle with their shooting, finishing just 5-for-28 from beyond the arc, while Alabama hit 12 three-pointers at a 36.4% rate. UNC's defensive lapses allowed Alabama to maintain a comfortable lead throughout the game, despite a brief rally from the Tar Heels in the second half. The loss highlights ongoing issues for North Carolina, including turnovers and inconsistent offensive execution, especially from their guards. Looking ahead, UNC will aim to break their losing streak in their next game against Georgia Tech.