North Carolina Tar Heels Crush St. Bonaventure 85-70 in Fort Myers Tip-Off

The North Carolina Tar Heels didn’t just win—they announced themselves. On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 6:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, the #16-ranked Tar Heels dismantled the previously undefeated St. Bonaventure Bonnies 85-70 in front of a spirited crowd at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Florida. The game, part of the Fort Myers Tip-Off Tournament’s Beach Division, wasn’t just a non-conference tune-up. It was a statement. North Carolina, now 6-0, proved they’re not just surviving the early season—they’re dominating it. St. Bonaventure, once the surprise undefeated team of the year at 5-0, suddenly had a crack in their armor.

A Second-Half Surge That Broke the Game

At halftime, it was tight: 35-33. The Bonnies, known for their disciplined half-court sets and suffocating defense, had held their own against the Tar Heels’ pace. But then, something shifted. With 13:28 left in the second half, North Carolina led 54-43. That’s when the floodgates opened. The Tar Heels went on a 31-27 run over the final 13 minutes, fueled by relentless transition offense and a defense that forced seven turnovers in the final eight minutes. College basketball fans watching on ESPN saw a team that had clearly sharpened its edges since their November 14 win over Navy. Guard Jalen Washington, who finished with 22 points and five assists, was the engine—driving into the lane, drawing fouls, and finding open shooters. Forward Malik Carter added 18 points and 11 rebounds, his second straight double-double.

St. Bonaventure’s Perfect Run Ends—But Not Without Fight

For St. Bonaventure Bonnies, this was the first real test since their 5-0 start. They’d beaten Bradley, Canisius, Siena, Youngstown State, and Robert Morris—all solid mid-major programs, but none with the size, speed, or depth of the ACC. Coach Mark Schmidt’s squad played with grit. Senior guard Marcus Williams dropped 19 points, and freshman big man Elijah Boone battled inside despite foul trouble. But when the Tar Heels started rotating defenders and trapping the perimeter, the Bonnies’ ball movement stalled. Their three-point shooting, which had been 41% on the season, dipped to 28% in the second half. “We knew they’d be physical,” Williams said afterward. “But we didn’t expect the pace. They just kept coming.”

What This Means for North Carolina’s Season

This win wasn’t just about improving to 6-0. It was about validation. After losing key players to the NBA draft last spring, questions swirled about whether North Carolina could remain elite. Early wins over Winston-Salem State and Central Arkansas looked good on paper, but they weren’t tests. Beating a 5-0 team like St. Bonaventure—on the road, in a neutral-site tournament, on national TV—changes the narrative. The Tar Heels now have a win over a team that had beaten three NCAA Tournament-caliber mid-majors. And they did it with balance: five players scored in double figures. Coach Hubert Davis didn’t just get a win—he got proof his system is still working.

What’s Next for Both Teams

North Carolina’s schedule tightens fast. Just two days after this win, on Thursday, November 27, 2025, they face Michigan State University at the same Suncoast Credit Union Arena. That’s a brutal back-to-back: a physical, veteran team with a national title pedigree. Then comes the ACC/SEC Challenge Rupp Arena on December 2, where they’ll face the University of Kentucky Wildcats in front of 23,000 screaming fans. If they win there, they’ll be in the top 10 by Christmas.

For St. Bonaventure, the road back is longer. Their next game isn’t until January 10, 2026, against Fordham University at the Reilly Center in St. Bonaventure, New York. That’s a six-week gap. Coach Schmidt will use it to fix the spacing issues exposed by North Carolina’s defense. The Bonnies still have a legitimate shot at an NCAA Tournament berth—they’re a lock for the Atlantic 10 Tournament—but they’ll need to win at least seven of their nine conference games to feel safe.

The Bigger Picture: Non-Conference Scheduling Matters

This game wasn’t just about two teams playing. It was about the shifting landscape of college basketball scheduling. For decades, power conferences like the ACC scheduled soft non-conference games to pad their records. But now, with the NCAA’s NET rankings and the Selection Committee valuing quality wins more than ever, teams like North Carolina are taking risks. Playing St. Bonaventure, a team that made the NCAA Tournament in 2021 and 2023, was a smart move. And winning by 15? That’s the kind of resume-builder that can carry a team through a tough ACC slate. Meanwhile, mid-majors like St. Bonaventure are increasingly using these tournaments as launching pads. A win here could’ve meant a top-25 ranking. A loss? It’s a wake-up call.