UNC survives huge Baylor comeback, pulls off overtime upset in NCAA Tournament

For the first time in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, a No. 1 seed has been upset. That infamous honor belongs to Baylor, after the Bears suffered an upset loss against the North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday. UNC dominated the first half, carrying a strong 42-29 lead into halftime over Baylor. The Tar Heels ultimately won the game in overtime, 93-86.

Baylor came on strong in the final minutes of the game, cutting UNC’s giant lead back to single digits, eventually tying the game with 15 seconds remaining.

The Tar Heels led by as many as 25 points with around ten minutes left in the game. But after Baylor went on a monumental run over the final minutes of the second half, the Bears were able to force overtime. UNC got a final shot at the buzzer in regulation, but it did not fall.

Baylor’s second half comeback began when UNC forward Brady Manek was ejected nearly midway through the second half with a controversial flagrant-2 foul. The loss was a big one for UNC, as Manek had 26 points, five rebounds, and two assists before his ejection. Armando Bacot later got into foul trouble, and guard Caleb Love also fouled out in the final minutes of the game. After two quick fouls in overtime, Dontrez Styles found himself with four fouls, as well.

UNC wasn’t the only team with foul trouble, as Baylor’s Flo Thamba fouled out in the opening minutes of overtime. Matthew Mayer, who was injured late in the first half, returned to the court to finish the game. With under three minutes left in overtime, Mayer fouled out himself. James Akinjo also fouled out in the final seconds of overtime.

Ultimately, UNC was able to hang on and prevailed in what will likely hold up as one of the biggest upsets in the Round of 32. UNC is now onto the Sweet 16, where the Tar Heels will face off against the winner of Saint Mary’s vs. UCLA.