North Carolina N. Carolina/UCLA UCLA Men's College Basketball recap on ESPN

Behind Joseph Forte's 29 points, the Tar Heels (No. 16 ESPN/USA Today, No. 15 AP) beat UCLA 80-70 Saturday after blowing an 18-point lead in the second half.

"It's a big win for this team," said Jason Capel, who had 12 points and 10 rebounds. "It's our first really big win of the year, especially on the road."

The Tar Heels (7-2) won their fourth straight after the Bruins (4-4) roared back to lead by two points three times.

"We kind of panicked. We kind of got a little tentative," Capel said.

But the comeback took its toll with 5:55 remaining and UCLA ahead 62-60. The Heels regrouped and ran off 16 straight points as the Bruins reverted to their first-half form with missed shots and turnovers. Carolina closed the game with an 18-8 run.

"That's what makes it discouraging because the kids scratched and clawed," said Steve Lavin, who is 1-2 against Carolina in his three seasons as UCLA coach, including a 41-point loss three years ago.

The Bruins scored on just one of their final nine possessions after not scoring on their first 12 possessions of the game.

"We gave up easy buckets, free throws," said Earl Watson, who scored a career-high 30 points. "That's how they beat us."

UCLA's Matt Barnes added 18 points, his career high, and 10 rebounds.

Brendan Haywood added 13 rebounds as Carolina controlled the boards, 47-36.

Trailing by 18 points early in the second half, the Bruins used a 22-7 run to get within one with 9:55 remaining. Watson and Barnes took over the offense, with Watson hitting two 3-pointers and Barnes scoring over the 7-foot Haywood and keying a steal and basket as the usually sedate crowd went wild.

"You never get a crowd like this at UCLA," said Watson, who joined his teammates in urging the fans to get louder.

Watson and Barnes kept it up, hitting free throws and scoring off offensive rebounds until UCLA led 62-60 on a basket by Watson with 5:55 left.

"UCLA had a great run and the crowd behind them. We weathered the storm," first-year Carolina coach Matt Doherty said. "This win was an important win for our players' and coaches' confidence."

The Heels made just three baskets during UCLA's rally, when starters Haywood, Ronald Curry and Kris Lang each played with at least three fouls. They overcame 22 turnovers in the game, including eight by Curry.

"We had to stop them right there (62-60) and we did, then we built our lead off our defense," Forte said. "They were giving us problems with their press, just attacking and not worrying about anything. We had to maintain our mindset and understand that we can't turn the ball over if we wanted to win the game."

But the Heels found steady shooters in Capel and Forte. Capel made all seven of his free throws and Forte was 6-of-7 over the final 10 minutes.

Haywood missed all six of his free throws early in the second half when UCLA began its big run.

"If we'd have lost the game, it would have been squarely on my shoulders," Haywood said. "They were down by five when they should really be down by 11 (his missed free throws). The stripe can be your friend or your enemy. For about five minutes, it was our enemy, and that's what helped them get back in the game"

Carolina scored the game's first 11 points and its defense kept the Bruins from getting few open looks in the opening six minutes. The Heels led by 19 in the first half, when UCLA shot 30 percent and was 2-of-11 from 3-point range.

The Bruins shot just 33 percent for the game, the fourth straight opponent that has failed to top 33 percent against Carolina.

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Men's College Basketball Scoreboard

North Carolina Clubhouse

UCLA Clubhouse