North Carolina, playing without injured starting point guard Coby White, played with more intensity than it did in a loss to Michigan and wore down UNC-Wilmington for a 97-69 home victory. (12/5)

Former UNC assistant coach C.B. McGrath’s Seahawks team hung tough for a while, even leading midway through the first half, but a Tar Heel 17-4 lead later in the first half and a 30-3 run in the second half ended any hopes of an upset.

North Carolina, which led by nine at the half despite nine turnovers, cranked up the defense, coming up with 13 steals and forcing 25 turnovers. UNC coach Roy Williams said his team played with better effort. “Our guys were more active, sweated more,” he said. “We were better defensively in the second half. Our traps helped us a little bit.”

Seventh Woods, playing point in place of White, scored all seven of his points during the 30-3 clinching run. Carolina was only up by seven when Woods scored seven of the Heels’ next nine points.

Cam Johnson, who scored eight during the run, led the Tar Heels with 21 points. Freshman Nassir Little scored 14 while Luke Maye and Kenny Williams each added 11.

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