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Off the cuff: Davidson wanted to slow things down and hit three pointers in an effort to beat UNC. That didn't work. The tone was set on the first possession as Carolina forced a shot clock violation.

As for threes, Davidson managed to hit just 10 of 38.

After Carolina got behind by five, there were a few highlights offensively. Garrison Brooks started the 20-4 run with an old-fashioned three-point play inside. Three minutes later, Nassir Little slammed in a running, two-handed dunk.

During a second half run, Luke Maye hit a three to give Carolina a 14-point lead - the largest at that point. And then Carolina forced another shot clock violation.

Tar Heels 82, Davidson 60
Heels turn up the heat to burn Davidson

After falling behind Davidson by five points midway through the first half, North Carolina turned up the heat defensively and went on to easily defeat the Wildcats 82-60 in Chapel Hill. (12/29)

Down 24-19, UNC went on a 20-4 run with four different Heels scoring to go into the half up 11 at 39-28. A 14-2 Carolina run early in the second half turned the game into a blowout.

The largest lead was 26 at 61-35 after Carolina's Nassir Little drove the lane, splitting defenders, for a layup.

Almost half of Davidson's shots are threes and the Wildcats shot three dozen in this one but they only hit 26 percent.

"They missed some open shots," UNC coach Roy Williams said. "At times we were good defensively - we closed out on their three-point shooters."

The defensive intensity sparked the Heels on the offensive end. Carolina players started getting easy chances and drawing some fouls.

The Tar Heels finished with 27 free throw attempts (hitting 22), compared to just 11 (10 made) for Davidson - outscoring the Wildcats from the line by 12 points.

Carolina had five players in double figures with Cam Johnson leading the way with 17 points. Kenny Williams had 12 points and five assists. Luke Maye had 11 points and 14 rebounds while Garrison Brooks had 11 points in just 16 minutes of play. Little closed out the double figure scoring with 10 points.

Freshman Coby White scored just seven points but he finished with seven assists and a season-high seven rebounds.

"I'm extremely confident in Coby," Coach Williams said of the freshman who took some criticism after poor outings. "He had seven assists before he ever had a basket."

Coach Williams pointed out that White had a great offensive game against Texas but the Tar Heels lost that one. "I'm not worried about Coby White."

He is a bit concerned about Carolina's outside shooting from Williams, Johnson and Maye - who are considered the team's best shooters. "They haven't shot the ball really well," he said. "Maybe they are saving it up for the stretch run," he added with a laugh.

There is just one more non-conference game before ACC play begins.

North Carolina, which hosts Harvard Wednesday, moves to 9-3.

Box score

UNC's Nassir Little reacts after a running two-handed dunk (UNC Sports Information)

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