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North Carolina Edges Ohio State in Thrilling CBS Sports Classic Matchup
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(Atlanta, December 21, 2025) – A late dunk by Henri Veesaar lifted No. 12 North Carolina to a 71-70 victory over Ohio State on Saturday, despite a furious comeback attempt by the Buckeyes in the CBS Sports Classic.
- Henri Veesaar’s dunk with 7.2 seconds remaining proved to be the game-winner for North Carolina.
- Ohio State struggled to handle North Carolina’s fullcourt press in the final seconds, leading to a crucial turnover.
North Carolina overcame an 11-point second-half deficit to defeat Ohio State in a tightly contested matchup.
The Final Moments
A potential game-winning three-pointer from Ohio State’s John Mobley Jr. missed, and teammate Devin royal’s putback attempt was blocked by UNC freshman Caleb Wilson at the buzzer.
The Comeback Falls Short
The Buckeyes were attempting to build on their momentum from a double-overtime win against West Virginia last Saturday, where they overcame a 16-point second-half deficit. They displayed similar resilience against North Carolina, battling back from a important disadvantage. However, the Tar Heels’ late-game pressure ultimately proved too much to overcome.
After leading 34-31 at halftime, North Carolina extended their lead with a 13-4 run, pushing the score to 56-45 with 11:13 left in the second half. This stretch saw the Tar Heels effectively move the ball for open three-point shots and capitalize on offensive rebounds for second-chance points.
Ohio State responded with a rally, cutting the deficit to 67-66 on a jumper by Bruce Thornton with 2:22 remaining. Mobley then hit a 26-foot three-pointer and completed the four-point play with a free throw, giving the Buckeyes a 70-67 lead with 48.7 seconds left.
Seth Trimble of North Carolina quickly answered with a driving layup, reducing the lead to 70-69 with 33.6 seconds remaining. North Carolina then extended its press,which Ohio State struggled to navigate.A pass from Colin White was intercepted by Jarin Stevenson with 23 seconds left.
Following a timeout, Trimble drove into the lane, spun, and passed to Veesaar for the game-winning dunk with 7.2 seconds left.ohio State had one final opportunity, but Mobley’s three-point attempt was off the mark, and Royal’s putback was blocked by Wilson.
Why It Matters
This loss highlights Ohio State’s ongoing struggles with closing out games
