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Off the cuff: It was one of those games that you just knew Carolina would end up winning comfortably but it wasn't pretty getting there.

If Gardner-Webb had hit a few more open shots, it could have gone down to the wire. Despite all the injuries and playing just seven guys regularly, Carolina was the bigger, stronger, more talented team.

But there are some troubling signs. For instance, Carolina turned the ball over 16 times compared to 13 for Gardner-Webb. Also, Anthony and Keeling had four fouls each while Brooks had three.

If Anthony fouls out or has an off night, Carolina could be in trouble against even average teams. Once Brandon Robinson and Sterling Manley come back perhaps the concerns won't be as great.

It was good to see Shea Rush drill a three-pointer in the last minute. I still don't like how Carolina dribbles the clock out at the end - this time done by seldom-used K.J. Smith. Robbie O'Han, a walk-on who has not scored, was calling for the ball with 10 seconds left but rather than giving him a shot, the Heels just dribbled out the clock.

I understand dribbling out the clock when the starters are on the court but not the Blue Team. Let them play until the clock expires.

Tar Heels 77, Gardner-Webb 61
Tar Heels sluggish but pull away late

Despite being the more talented team, North Carolina was up on Gardner-Webb by just two possessions midway through the second half. But then super frosh Cole Anthony reeled off 16 of his 28 points to lead the Tar Heels to a 77-61 home victory. (11/15)

Up 51-47 with over 10 minutes to play, Carolina went on a modest 7-0 run highlighted by a deep three from the left wing by Anthony to push the lead up to 11.

Anthony later wowed the crowd with a step-back three as he was being double-teamed at the end of the shot clock.

An Anthony dunk on a lob pass from Christian Keeling put the Heels up 70-57 with 2:44 to go. The largest lead of the game came after Shea Rush came off the bench to pop in a three from the corner with just 25 seconds left for the final 16-point margin.

Carolina fans are already used to Anthony scoring but they certainly had to feel good about freshman Armando Bacot coming back from a concussion a week earlier to put 12 points on the board.

Bacot also hauled in 11 rebounds but his performance didn't much impress UNC coach Roy Williams who thought he could have done a lot more. "I didn't feel like he played worth a darn," Coach Williams said. "We can't be the best team we can be if he doesn't play better."

Careful not to diss Gardner-Webb, Coach Williams said his team is more gifted and taller yet the game was a two-possession game deep into the second half. He wasn't pleased with Bacot's ball control in the post.

"I've got to stop bringing the ball down," Bacot said. With his 6-10 frame, he could have scored more if he hadn't gotten the ball knocked loose several times by not keeping the ball above the fray.

There were five ties and eight lead changes in the first half as the Heels seemed sluggish. Keeling drove the right side of the lane for a bucket to put the Tar Heels up 26-24 with 3:21 left in the first half. While the game stayed close a little longer, Carolina never trailed again.

Ahead just 30-27 at the break, UNC scored the first 11 points of the second half to get more control of the game. In the first minute, Keeling and Leaky Black hit jumpers.

Behind Jose Perez, who led his team with 12 points, Gardner-Webb pulled back within four before Anthony took over to put the game away.

The Tar Heels, 3-0, host Elon Wednesday night.

Box Score


UNC's Cole Anthony led the way again. (Jeffrey A. Camarati for UNC Athletic Communications)


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