UNC’s RJ Davis Celebrated by CBB Fans After Historic 42-Point Game in Win vs. Miami

zach bacharContributor IFebruary 27, 2024

Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

RJ Davis scored a career-high 42 points to help lift No. 9 North Carolina over Miami 75-71 on Monday night.

Davis connected on 14 of his 22 shot attempts, including a 7-of-11 mark from three. He also added six rebounds and four steals to go with one assist. His proficiency from behind the arc was sorely needed, as the rest of the Tar Heels shot 2-of-15 on threes.

Miami cut the deficit to just two points with over a minute remaining in the second half, although Davis hit one of two free throws to give North Carolina some breathing room. The Hurricanes weren’t able to connect on a game-tying three, giving head coach Hubert Davis’ team the win.

College basketball fans were amazed by Davis’ career night.

Carolina Basketball @UNC_BasketballRJ setting a new career-high in style 🔥 @ariidavis_

📺 ESPN | #WhyNot4 pic.twitter.com/6Rgxd03PAE

B/R Hoops @brhoopsRJ Davis set a new Dean Dome record with 42 points against Miami tonight 😤 pic.twitter.com/5Ts7iIOF9Y

NCAA March Madness @MarchMadnessMBBRJ Davis balled out tonight 🔥

His 42 points broke the Dean Dome record set by Tyler Hansbrough 🐏 pic.twitter.com/oHe9L8VM1F

Jon Rothstein @JonRothsteinNorth Carolina needed every one of RJ Davis’ 42 points — the most ever scored by a player at the Smith Center — to beat Miami tonight, who was playing without both Nijel Pack and Wooga Poplar.

The Tar Heels’ quest for a No. 1 seed remains alive.

Jeff Borzello @jeffborzelloRJ Davis: 42 points on 14-for-22 shooting, 7-for-11 from 3.

Via @ESPNStatsInfo, Davis’ 42 points tonight is tied for the most points by a UNC player in a game in the last 50 seasons. Shammond Williams also scored 42 in a game in 1998.

Jman @jhardy252RJ DAVIS ACC PLAYER OF THE YEAR pic.twitter.com/x7iDT41bHg

Great Day Tar Heel @GreatDayTarHeelRJ DAVIS TONIGHT pic.twitter.com/DHScFNH7rb

Tre Boston @TreBos10RJ DAVIS THATS THE TWEET! 🔥🔥🔥@GoHeels !!🐏

michael wesley brooker, sr @m_brooker11That was a “we have RJ Davis and you don’t” game. That’s the ONLY way to describe it. We’ll take it. Go Heels.

Satisfied UNC fan @heelscentralI can’t believe what I just watched, RJ Davis is not human

Davis’ performance allowed the Tar Heels to notch their third consecutive victory, moving to 22-6 on the season.

The senior has been one of the main reasons behind North Carolina’s impressive year, averaging 21.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game heading into Monday’s action. He’ll look to continue his hot shooting in the team’s next game, a matchup with NC State on March 2.