It could have been a trap game for North Carolina – playing an unheralded but undefeated Hawaii team prior to taking part in the Maui Invitational. But the Tar Heels broke open a close contest early in the second half and went on to win 87-69.<\/p>\n
Elliot Cadeau picked up two quick fouls to start the game and missed 13 minutes sitting on the bench. As a result, 5th year senior RJ Davis took over, scoring 14 in the first half to give the Tar Heels an uncomfortable 41-34 halftime lead.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe guys reacted well to a sell-out crowd and an undefeated team,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said. \u201cI challenged them at the half in the locker room that it had to be a different story in the second half.\u201d<\/p>\n
A 19-4 run early in the second half put Carolina in control at 60-40 with 13:50 to go. Cadeau and Seth Trimble turned the accelerator on to lead the rush.<\/p>\n
During the run, Trimble picked up a steal and got it up court to Cadeau for a layup that put up the Heels up by 14. Then Cadeau returned the favor by stealing the ball and getting it to Trimble for a dunk that gave UNC an 18-point lead.<\/p>\n
The lead never got below 12 the rest of the way as Carolina worked the margin up to 21 at 78-57 on a spinning shot in the lane by transfer Cade Tyson, who had perhaps his best game as a Tar Heel.<\/p>\n
Coach Davis praised Tyson for his defense and his aggressiveness which included a baseline drive dunk and a three from the corner on his way to nine points.<\/p>\n
It was the guards that led the way on this night though as Davis had a game-high 18 points while Cadeau, in only 23 minutes, tallied 17 and Trimble, who hit six free throws, finished with 13.<\/p>\n
Ian Jackson managed to also reach double figures with six free throws of his own on the way to 11 points.<\/p>\n
Forcing turnovers and getting out on the fast break helped Carolina keep Hawaii, who out rebounded the Heels 40-27, at bay. The Heels had a 19-0 advantage on the fastbreak and a 17-5 edge in points off turnovers.<\/p>\n
Hawaii, led by Gytis Nemeiksa\u2019s 16 points and 10 rebounds, fall to 4-1.<\/p>\n
Carolina, now 3-1, take on Dayton in the first round of the Maui Invitational Monday at 11:30 p.m. The Hawaii game started at 12:35 a.m Saturday and ended at 2:40 a.m.<\/p>\n