Photos: North Carolina defeats Wagner in first round NCAA Tournament action
By Robert Willett
North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) works his way to the basket against Wagner’s Keyontae Lewis (32) and Julian Brown (13) in the first half on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C.
Robert Willett
rwillett@newsobserver.com
The University of North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Wagner Seahawks 90-62 in the first round of NCAA Men’s basketball tournament action in Charlotte, Thursday afternoon, March 21, 2024.
The Tar Heels jumped ahead early despite several turnovers and dominated most of the second half.
Check back after the game for more photos from News & Observer photojournalist Robert Willett.
North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4), Harrison Ingram (55), Armando Bacot (5) and Cormac Ryan (3) react after a basket by reserver player Rob Landry to give the Tar Heels’ a 90-61 lead in the final seconds of play against Wagner on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) and Harrison Ingram (55) chat behind teammate Armando Bacot (5) in the closing minutes of play against Wagner on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Paxson Wojcik (8) is congratulated by teammate Zayden High (1) after sinking a three-point basket to give the Tar Heels a 88-58 lead in the second half on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Elliot Cadeau (2) breaks to the basket ahead of Wagner’s Melvin Council Jr. (11) in the second half on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina coach Hubert Davis calls the play for the offense in the second half against Wagner on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Jae’Lyn Withers (24) shoots over Wagner’s Keyontae Lewis (32) in the second half on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Cormac Ryan (3) breaks to the basket past Wagner’s Keyontae Lewis (32) in the second half on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Ryan scored 13 points in the Tar Heels’ victory. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Jae’Lyn Withers (24) reacts after a dunk on as fast break in the second half against Wagner on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Withers scored 16 points in the Tar Heels’ victory. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) launches a three point attempt in the second half against Wagner’s Julian Brown (13) on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) sets up for a three point attempt in front of the the Tar Heels’ bench in the second half against Wagner on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) drives to the basket against Wagner’s Tyje Kelton (4) in the first half on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina coach Hubert Davis talks with Jalen Washington (13) in the first half against Wagner on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Jae’Lyn Withers (24) breaks to the basket against Wagner’s Seck Zongo (15) in the first half on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Wagner’s Tahron Allen (10) is called for charging after a collision with North Carolina’s Cormac Ryan (3) in the first half on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Jae’Lyn Withers (24) breaks to the basket for a dunk in the first half against Wagner on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina coach Hubert Davis directs his team on defense in the second half against Wagner on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) puts up a shot against Wagner’s Keyontae Lewis (32) in the first half on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) defends Wagner’s Julian Brown (13) in the first half on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
xNorth Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) goes through his pre-game ritual, a moment of meditation, prior to the Tar Heels’ game against Wagner on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) plays the first half against Wagner with his nostril packed with cotton pads after a collision caused a bloody nose on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Armando Bacot (5) secures one of his game high 15 rebounds over Wagner’s Tyje Kelton (4), Melvin Council Jr. (11) and Julian Brown (13) in the first half on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Wagner head coach Donald Copeland huddles with his team during a time out in the first half against North Carolina on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) puts up a shot against Wagner’s Javier Ezquerra (1) in the second half on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Davis led all scores with 22 points in the Tar Heels’ 90-62 victory. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s R.J. Davis (4) defends Wagner’s Javier Ezquerra (1) in the first half on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Harrison Ingram (55) and fellow starters huddle with coach Hubert Davis prior to their game against Wagner on Thursday, March 21, 2024 during the NCAA Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
