North Carolina, which let most of a 16-point halftime lead dwindle, responded with a pair of scoring runs to pull away from Saint Francis 101-76 in Chapel Hill. (11\/19)<\/p>\n
After the Red Flash cut a 52-36 halftime lead to 58-52 in the first four minutes of the second half, the Tar Heels went on an 11-0 run to go up 69-52. UNC’s Kenny Williams, who hasn’t shot the ball well so far this season, started the run with a three from the right corner. Once Brandon Robinson, who had a career-high 11 points, hit a pair of free throws, the Heels were in control again, up by 17.<\/p>\n
A couple of minutes later, Carolina went on a 15-3 run to work the margin up to 24 points at 90-66. Seventh Woods’ floor generalship combined with Nassir Little’s offense led that charge.<\/p>\n
Little, who scored seven of his 19 points during the stretch, put down a lob from Woods and was fouled to highlight the run.<\/p>\n
“We had a couple of nice stretches,” UNC coach Roy Williams said. “Seventh, during that one stretch in the second half, was really good.”<\/p>\n
Woods, who early in the game committed a couple of turnovers, dished out seven assists and never turned the ball over again.<\/p>\n
Coach Williams said Carolina’s 18 turnovers was the most discouraging thing about the game. He also pointed to fouls and putting Saint Francis on the foul line as negatives.<\/p>\n
That kind of play isn’t going to fly as the compeition gets tougher, he said. “If we play like we did in some stretches, (the upcoming games are) going to be unpleasant for us.<\/p>\n
Carolina, now 5-0, play Texas on Thanksgiving night and then play either Michigan State or UCLA in the Las Vegas Invitational. Then, on Nov. 28, the Heels travel to Michigan.<\/p>\n
In addition to Little’s 19 points and Robinson’s 11 points, three other Tar Heels scored in double figures. Cam Johnson led the way with 20 points while Coby White added 16 and Luke Maye chipped in 11 to go with 10 rebounds.<\/p>\n