Seth Trimble returns from broken arm to set up winning basket in UNC's latest victory

ATLANTA (AP) — Seth Trimble picked up right where he left off, making a pass that set up the winning basket in No. 12 North Carolina's 71-70 victory over Ohio State on Saturday.

Though, truth be told, it was supposed to be a shot.

Trimble was back on the court for the Tar Heels (11-1) after missing nine games recovering from a broken left forearm, the result of a Nov. 9 mishap during a training session.

With a sleeve covering much of his arm, the senior guard made a driving basket that gave North Carolina a chance. Then he got the ball back after Ohio State turned it over trying to push the ball into the frontcourt.

Trimble was looking to put up another shot, only to stumble as he spun into the lane. But he spotted the sneakers of teammate Henri Veesaar and managed to get rid of the ball before hitting the floor, setting up an emphatic dunk that proved to be the winning points with 7.2 seconds remaining.

“I was trying to get a straight-line drive and make a play from there,” Trimble said. “But I spun and was getting ready to shoot, and I lost my footing right away. So I'm going to say this now,” he added with a sly grin, “this was a pass. I didn't just throw the ball down. I saw Henri's feet and just tried to get him a bounce pass the best that I could.”

Trimble played 36 minutes, scoring 17 points while knocking down 3 of 5 from beyond the 3-point stripe. Without him, it's hard to envision the Tar Heels pulling this one out.

“He gives us versatility," coach Hubert Davis said. “We're able to do some different things.”

Trimble said it was tough to watch the last nine games from the sideline.

“Stressful. Stressful. Just not really knowing,” he said. “I was making constant improvement, which gave me a lot of confidence in the arm. But I just didn't know. At the end of the day, the surgeon has to approve me, my trainer's got to approve me, and everything else like that. So just a lot of uncertainty and stress. But it all worked out.”

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North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) celebrates a win against Ohio State after an NCAA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump on Saturday announced he's endorsing Nassau County's Republican executive for governor in next fall's New York race, just a day after the president's longtime ally Rep. Elise Stefanik announced she was suspending her candidacy.

The endorsement, while not unexpected, could help ensure that Bruce Blakeman, who leads the suburban county on Long Island, doesn't face a serious contender in his push to win the GOP primary and a chance at a likely faceoff against incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.

“Bruce is MAGA all the way, and has been with me from the very beginning,” Trump said in a post announcing the endorsement on his Truth Social platform.

Stefanik announced Friday that she is suspending her campaign for governor and will not seek reelection to Congress.

The race between Stefanik and Blake had been expected to be competitive. Stefanik in announcing her decision said she wanted to avoid an “unnecessary and protracted Republican primary.”

Stefanik has been a steadfast ally of Trump, who nominated her to serve as his ambassador to the United Nations only to withdraw it because of concerns about potentially further eroding the GOP's narrow majority in the House.

Stefanik announced her decision just days after Blakeman formally announced his candidacy.

Trump on Monday, amid reports Blakeman would jump into the race, declined to take a side in the primary race when asked about Blakeman and Stefanik, instead telling reporters, “He’s great, and she’s great. They’re both great people."

Blakeman, the executive of Nassau County, has gained attention for championing a policy that bans transgender athletes from using county sports facilities. He has also created a volunteer law enforcement unit that his critics have labeled as a militia and directed county detectives to work alongside federal authorities in Trump’s immigration crackdown.

The Hochul campaign suggested that Trump's embrace of Blakeman should be a turnoff to the state's voters.

“Donald Trump endorsed Bruce Blakeman for one reason: he’ll put Trump first, New York last, and leave families to foot the bill," said Hochul campaign communications director Sarafina Chitika.

FILE - Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, at podium, speaks during a news conference in Mineola, N.Y., March 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Philip Marcelo, File)