Michael Hickey/Getty Images(PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas) — In the semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis, the Butler Bulldogs knocked off fifth-ranked North Carolina Wednesday night, 74-66, one of the bigger upsets in the first month of the college basketball season.
“This is a proud program with tremendous heritage and we’re trying to do the very best with what’s in front of us,” said Butler’s interim head coach Chris Holtmann.
It was not an easy task for Butler (4-0) who dominated the backboards, outrebounding the Tarheels (3-1) 57-40, grabbing 29 offensive rebounds in the process. That helped the Bulldogs overcome an abysmal shooting night. Butler was just 22-of-72 (30.6%) from the floor, shooting just 7 percent in the final eight minutes of regulation.
However, the Bulldogs had already built up a solid lead and were able to hold off UNC. It was a decisive 16-4 run in the second half that turned a 43-41 deficit into a 59-45 lead. Alex Barlow and Kelan Martin each had 17 points for Butler in the win.
It is the second time in the last three seasons that Butler has beat a top-10 ranked North Carolina squad. They also pulled the upset in 2012 at the Maui Invitational.
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