The UNC Tar Heels opened up the second half with a huge, 8-0 run, and turned their three-point deficit at the break into a five-point lead (40-35) over the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

UNC Tar Heels Open Second Half With 8-0 Run, Take 40-35 Lead vs Gonzaga

Berry provided much help for North Carolina during that burst, and Gonzaga coach Mark Few decided to take a timeout after his team missed three shots from the lane.

The Bulldogs turned the ball over twice less than 30 seconds into the second half, both from guard Josh Perkins. 

Justin Jackson, meanwhile, hit two free throws for the Tar Heels.

Przemek Karnowski, one of Gonzaga’s 7-footers, looked a little lost, shooting 0-4, all from close range, after getting a finger in the eye in the semifinal.

One of the Bulldogs’ other big men, freshman Zach Collins, contributed two baskets and four rebounds after coming off the bench.

Josh Perkins was the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ top scorer in the first half with 8 points.

Gonzaga Leads UNC 35-32 At Halftime In NCAA Championship Game 2017

Another 3 by Perkins and a jump-shot by Jonathan Williams gave the Bulldogs a 7-point lead with 10 minutes remaining.

North Carolina then got within 2 thanks to a 3-pointer from Joel Berry and another shot from Justin Jackson.

Despite their strong rebounding skills, the Tar Heels were out-rebounded in the first half, 14-8.

Former UNC star Michael Jordan is not attending the game in Phoenix, as he did, last year when the Tar Heels lost. However, Michael Phelps is attending, looking very tan:

Tar Heel Kennedy Meeks, meanwhile, set a new single-tournament record for a player from his school with just nine rebounds in the first 20 minutes.

More updates to follow soon.

The 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Game is set for Monday night at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

NCAA Championship Game 2017 Preview: Gonzaga vs UNC

The game will begin at 9:20 p.m. EST and will air on CBS, and can also be live-streamed on the NCAA’s website.

The two teams facing off are both top seeds in the tournament: the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the North Carolina Tar Heels.

North Carolina leads the country in rebounds, and this in particular helped them defeat Oregon in the Final Four last weekend. Tar Heels point guard Joel Berry is still recovering from injuries to both ankles that have hindered his performance. Berry played 35 minutes in UNC’s win over Oregon, but shot just 2 of 14 from the floor for 11 points.

The Tar Heels played in last year’s championship game, but lost to Villanova 77-74 after a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from the Wildcats. Only three teams have ever won a national title after losing the final game the year before.

Gonzaga, who are making their 19th straight NCAA Tournament appearance, but its first showing in the Final Four, defeated South Carolina 77-73 in the semifinals last weekend.

According to the NCAA’s website, the predicted winner is Gonzaga, who is forecasted to win 76-73.

MEMPHIS, TN – MARCH 26: Kennedy Meeks #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels shoots in the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at FedExForum on March 26, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)