Ian Jackson stats tonight: How many points did UNC freshman put up against Notre Dame? (Jan 4)

Freshman guard Ian Jackson was instrumental in securing the victory for the North Carolina TarHeels in a thrilling matchup against Notre Dame on Saturday. UNC narrowly defeated the Fighting Irish with a final score of 74-73 in South Bend, Indiana.

Ian Jackson delivered a standout performance with a career-high 27 points. His scoring prowess was complemented by his ability to crash the boards, contributing six rebounds during the game.

This achievement marked Jackson's fourth consecutive game scoring 20 or more points, making him the first UNC freshman to accomplish this feat since Tyler Hansbrough in the 2005-06 season.

The game reached its climax in the final moments when UNC's Elliot Cadeau executed a pivotal four-point play with just 4.8 seconds remaining. Cadeau was fouled while sinking a three-pointer and successfully converted the free throw, turning a late deficit into a one-point lead for the Tar Heels.

The Fighting Irish also saw significant contributions from Tae Davis and Braeden Shrewsberry, who scored 17 and 16 points, respectively. Despite their efforts, Notre Dame was unable to maintain an early 12-point lead, allowing UNC to capitalize on turnovers and efficient shooting.

The Tar Heels shot an impressive 52.9% from the field and scored 16 points off 13 Notre Dame turnovers. RJ Davis also played a crucial role for North Carolina, contributing eight points and a season-high seven assists.

This victory improved North Carolina's record to 9-6 overall, while denting Notre Dame's to 7-7 overall.

The Tar Heels will look to build on this momentum as they continue their conference schedule, with Jackson's exceptional performance highlighting his growing importance to North Carolina.

UNC’s Ian Jackson reflects on narrow win against Notre Dame

In the post-game chat with the media, Ian Jackson reflected on UNC's performance and his mindset, emphasizing the importance of the victory for the Tar Heels.

“The win was great for us. Winning isn't easy, especially in this conference,” Jackson said. “For us to come out here in this environment, especially in a conference game, it was huge for us. The team got a lot to get better to do, but yeah, I'm glad we won.”

Ian Jackson’s composure under pressure and his ability to rise to the occasion have been defining traits of his freshman campaign. When asked about his mentality, the confident guard made it clear that his belief in himself has remained unwavering.

“It is the same as when the season started,” Jackson said. “My confidence has always been super high. I’ve got the most faith in myself to go out there and perform."

"I work extremely hard to prepare myself for these moments and the opportunities here now. Just time to keep playing my game and doing what I can do to impact winning,”

The 6-foot-5 guard’s preparation and dedication have translated into consistent performances on the court, making him a vital piece of North Carolina’s roster. His impact was on full display against Notre Dame, not only as a scorer but also as a leader.