North Carolina responded to a cold-shooting first half by ACC Player of the Year Justin Jackson and a late first-half run by Miami by blowing past the Hurricanes in the second half for a 78-53 victory. (3/4)

The Tar Heels opened up a 34-29 halftime lead by outscoring Miami by 20 points in the second half. A 14-5 run early in the second half provided the Heels some separation.

During the run Jackson and Joel Berry drained their first threes of the game to get back on track and help Isaiah Hicks, who had carried the Heels with 11 points in the first half.

Hicks, who sank all nine of his free throw shots, led the way with 19 points for the game while Jackson, who had just two points at the half, finished with 12 points and Berry chipped in 11. Kennedy Meeks closed out the double figure scoring with 10 points.

The Tar Heels had lost at Miami in late January but it was North Carolina’s defense that made the difference this time around. The Hurricanes turned the ball over 15 times including nine Carolina steals, and the Tar Heels held Miami to just 37 percent shooting.

The Tar Heels held Miami to just seven points over the last nine minutes of the game, while scoring 19 themselves during that time.

Hicks said Carolina had an attitude change this time around. “We really got after them,” he said.

Meanwhile the Tar Heels hit 53 percent of their shots. They were seven of 17 from beyond the arc, while they had 21 assists in 28 made field goals. Carolina was also solid at the free throw line, hitting 15 of 18.

The Tar Heels, who were outrebounded at Miami, this time outrebounded the Hurricanes 36-29.

Bruce Brown, a freshman, led all scorers with 21 points for the Hurricanes, who fall to 21-11.

The Tar Heels, who improve to 27-6 overall, advance to Friday night’s tournament tilt against the winner of Louisville-Duke.

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