Mike Gesell hit a driving layup through contact for the go-ahead three-point play with 1:16 left, helping Iowa upset No. 12 North Carolina 60-55 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Gesell finished with 16 points for the Hawkeyes (6-2), who outfought the Tar Heels (5-2) on a night when both teams struggled to shoot straight.
Gesell’s basket was the team’s first after a 4-minute drought, but it ended up providing the winning margin on a night when the Hawkeyes won despite shooting 33 percent and going 3 for 20 from 3-point range.
After UNC’s Marcus Paige missed a 3-pointer for the tie, Gesell hit two free throws with 1 second left to seal a win that had Hawkeyes players running onto the court to celebrate at the horn.
Kennedy Meeks had 15 points and 12 rebounds for UNC, which shot just 28 percent and never found any type of offensive rhythm.
