CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Penn put up a good showing against the preseason No. 1 team in the country, but ultimately fell to North Carolina, 86-71, at the Dean Smith Center.
The Quakers managed to cut the led to 10 after halftime and played a strong second period to keep the game competitive. UNC never led by more than 20.
Tyler Bernardini put up the best performance with the Quakers, adding a game-high 26 points on 9-of-18 shooting. His three pointers kept Penn close in the first half, as Bernardini hit three from beyond the arc.
But it just wasn't enough to match up with the physical UNC team, which was able to consistently pound the ball inside. The Tar Heels were without two of their top players; Marcus Ginyard and reigning Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough sat out with injuries. Tyler Zeller filled in nicely for Hansbrough, leading UNC's scoring with 18 points.
