No. 10 Alabama defeated No. 20 UNC 94-79 in the ACC-SEC Challenge

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) — North Carolina was hoping for revenge for last season’s NCAA Tournament loss against Alabama on Wednesday night. The Crimson Tide showed that the gap between the two teams could potentially be even greater this year.

Mark Sears scored 20 points and Aden Holloway and Labaron Philon each had 15 points as No. 10 Alabama defeated No. 20 North Carolina 94-79 in the ACC-SEC Challenge.

Clifford Omoruyi and Derrion Reid each scored 11 points and Grant Nelson had 10 points, helping the Crimson Tide (6-2) beat three top-25 opponents in a row for the first time in three seasons.

The repeat of Alabama’s Sweet 16 win last season wasn’t close.

Freshman Ian Jackson scored a season-high 23 points, RJ Davis had 18 and Seth Trimble added 12 points for the Tar Heels (4-4). They have lost three times in a row.

A 9-0 run early in the second half pushed Alabama to an 18-point lead of 52-38.

The Crimson Tide celebrated their first road win of the season, compensating for a loss at Purdue. The even score is a luxury, with at least five players having a double-digit point total for the fourth game in a row.

Alabama didn’t flinch when Sears, a preseason All-America selection, picked up his second foul with 6:37 left in the first half and sat out several minutes. The Crimson Tide led 43-34 at halftime.

Alabama made 12 3-pointers while the Tar Heels shot 5-for-28. Davis was 1 for 11.

The Tar Heels look to regroup on Saturday when they open the Atlantic Coast Conference at home against Georgia Tech.

Alabama hosts Creighton on December 14th.

The Associated Press contributed.