Iowa vs. UNC: Score and Twitter Reaction for Big Ten-ACC Challenge 2014

It wasn't pretty, but Iowa put another notch into the Big Ten's win column. 

The Hawkeyes shot just 32.7 percent from the field and hit three of 20 three-point attempts, but Mike Gesell scored 16 points, leading the way to a 60-55 win over No. 12 North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

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Hawkeyes Win! Iowa goes into Chapel Hill & knocks off No. 12 North Carolina, 60-55. pic.twitter.com/SczJoqwMkn

— ESPN College BBall (@ESPNCBB) December 4, 2014"

Kennedy Meeks had 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Heels, who had 24 offensive rebounds. But preseason All-American Marcus Paige had 13 points on 16 field-goal attempts, and Roy Williams' squad shot an atrocious 27.9 percent from the field.

Williams, via the Fayetteville Observer's Stephen Schramm, criticized his team's effort level:

ESPN's Jeff Goodman foresees a big drop in the rankings for Carolina, which was fresh off of two wins over Top 25 opponents:

While Iowa actually got off to a strong start shooting the ball, the Hawkeyes built an early lead on the strength of their defense. With a diamond press and 2-3 zone, they were able to slow down the Tar Heels and force them into a bevy of jump shots.

Carolina finished the first half 11-of-41 from the field as a result. Even for the notoriously poor shooting team, it was a season-worst number, as Tar Heel Sports Network's Jones Angell noted:

The difference in efficiency (52.3 effective field-goal percentage for Iowa; 29.3 for UNC) is typically a recipe for a blowout, but the Heels were able to stay close by controlling the glass. They pulled down 15 offensive rebounds in the opening 20 minutes, leading to 11 second-chance points and a mere two-point deficit heading into the locker room.

ESPN's Chris Hassel illustrated the importance of Carolina's advantage on the interior:

After some back-and-forth action to begin the second half, Iowa took its turn going ice-cold from the field. Missing an array of layups and open three-pointers, the Hawkeyes had a stretch of nearly eight minutes without a field goal.

Adam Jacobi discovered the problem:

Led by Meeks and Nate Britt, the Heels used a 7-0 run during that span to grab their largest lead of the game at 45-40 with just over nine minutes to play. But in the decidedly sloppy contest, they weren't able to completely put the Hawkeyes away.

Much like Carolina in the first half, Iowa did its work on the offensive glass, racking up second-chance points to tie the game at 51 at the final TV timeout.

Finally, shortly after Meeks—such an important interior presence—fouled out, Gesell drove to the cup and converted what was ultimately the game-winning three-point play. Paige had an offensive foul and missed three-pointer in the final minute, sealing the victory for Iowa.

Grantland's Mark Titus discussed the surprising contrast of play at the guard positions:

Even though this wasn't a scintillating performance, Fran McCaffery's squad has to be feeling confident after beating a ranked opponent on the road despite Aaron White and Jarrod Uthoff combining to shoot 2-of-19.

They'll test that confidence in nine days against rival Iowa State.

As for the Tar Heels, a matchup against No. 1 Kentucky looms. UNC has the talent to compete, even in Lexington, but if it doesn't find some consistency on offense, that's going to be another long day.