Arkansas' best season in two decades has come to an end.
The Razorbacks lost 87-78 to North Carolina on Saturday in the third round of the NCAA Tournament at Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. Arkansas finished the season with a 27-9 overall record.
Game Sketch
Records: North Carolina 26-11; Arkansas 27-9
Leading scorers: North Carolina, Paige 22; Arkansas, Qualls 27
Turning Point: Marcus Paige made back-to-back three-pointers to extend North Carolina's lead to 71-61 with less than eight minutes remaining.
Notable: The higher-seeded team has won all five NCAA Tournament games between the Razorbacks and Tar Heels.
Arkansas held its own with the Tar Heels for much of the game, but the Razorbacks couldn't overcome a season-high 21 turnovers. Arkansas briefly took the lead early in the second half, but the Marcus Paige hit a pair of three-pointers to spark an 11-2 Tar Heels run in the final 10 minutes that put the game away.
After three consecutive losses in the tournament's round of 32, North Carolina (26-11) advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2011. Arkansas failed to reach the Sweet 16 round for the 19th consecutive season.
North Carolina made 45 percent of its field goal attempts and capitalized on repeated trips to the free throw line, making 29 of 37 attempts. After a hot start, Arkansas finished the game shooting 36.9 percent from the floor, but made 22 of 27 free throws.
The Razorbacks led by seven points early in the game, but North Carolina rallied and led 39-36 at halftime.
Michael Qualls scored 27 points and had 10 rebounds to lead Arkansas. Bobby Portis added 18 points and 14 rebounds.
Paige scored 22 points and added six rebounds and five steals for the Tar Heels. Justin Jackson added 16 points.
Both teams had four players score in double-figures.