Three North Carolina players got double figures in points and rebounds as the Tar Heels won at UNC-Wilmington 78-62.<\/p>\n
Cole Anthony, while not shooting as well as he did in the season opener, led the way with 20 points and 10 rebounds.<\/p>\n
Garrison Brooks and Justin Pierce had 18 points and 12 rebounds each.<\/p>\n
While North Carolina hasn’t been to UNC-Wilmington before, Pierce, UNC’s grad transfer from William & Mary, is very familiar with the 5,200-person arena.<\/p>\n
Pierce, who drained four threes on the night, led Carolina in the first half with 13 points as the Heels, already shorthanded, had to survive an Armando Bacot concussion early.<\/p>\n
The Tar Heels were challenged by the Seahawks through the first 10 minutes.<\/p>\n
UNC-W got off to a 5-0 start and there were three ties and three lead changes.<\/p>\n
A Brooks two-handed slam dunk started a 12-2 run as the Heels started to take control of the game.<\/p>\n
Brooks hit a pair of free throws to give Carolina its first double-digit lead at 33-23.<\/p>\n
The Heels settled for a 40-29 halftime lead despite missing eight free throws and shooting just 30 percent from the floor.<\/p>\n
Carolina missed nearly half of it’s free throw shots during the game and finished shooting just 36.5 percent from the floor.<\/p>\n
The game never got closer than eight in the second half as the Tar Heels worked the lead up to 22 at 70-48 after Anthony hit a step-back three and passed to Brandon Huffman for two.<\/p>\n
It was Pierce though that took some of the attention from Anthony in this game.<\/p>\n
“I got some open looks early,” Pierce said. “The guys did a good job of penetrating and kicking it back out to me. The shot felt great. I’m a confident player – I can shoot the ball.”<\/p>\n
Pierce went over 1,000 points for his college career and he’s gotten some of those against UNC-W over the years.<\/p>\n
“It was an awesome environment and cool to be back,” he said.<\/p>\n
Pierce said the Heels have a lot of improving to do but it’s better to work on the problems after two wins.<\/p>\n
The Tar Heels, 2-0, host Gardner Webb Friday, Nov. 15 at 9 p.m.<\/p>\n