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Off the cuff: My understanding is that when Hawaii became a state, it was determined that the spelling would be "Hawaii" and not "Hawai'i" as has been used by this team. Therefore, I'm using the simpler - dare I say Americanized - "Hawaii" spelling in these articles.

Hawaii postgame notes thanks to GoHeels.com:

RJ Davis led UNC in scoring for the second time this season and 47th time as a Tar Heel.
Davis passed Sam Perkins for fourth in UNC career scoring. Davis has 2,159 points. Perkins scored 2,145 from 1980-84.

Davis, Elliot Cadeau and Seth Trimble all scored in double figures for the fourth time in as many games. It is the first time Cadeau and Trimble have scored in double figures four straight games as Tar Heels.

Tyson scored seven of his nine points in the second half.

Carolina shot 57.7 percent from the floor in the second half and 51.9 percent for the game. It was the third straight game the Tar Heels shot 50 percent or better in the second half and the second time in a row UNC shot 50 percent for the game.

UNC was out-rebounded for the first time this season (40-27).

Hawaii scored 14 second-chance points, a season high by an opponent (previous was 10 by American). The Rainbow Warriors scored 12 of those 14 points in the first half.

Carolina committed a season-low five turnovers. It was the third time in four games UNC committed fewer than 10 turnovers.

Carolina 87, Hawaii 69
UNC guards speed up the tempo in win

(Photo by UNC Sports Information/Maggie Hobson)

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. (11/23)

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.

"The guys reacted well to a sell-out crowd and an undefeated team," UNC coach Hubert Davis said. "I challenged them at the half in the locker room that it had to be a different story in the second half."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ian Jackson managed to also reach double figures with six free throws of his own on the way to 11 points.

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.

Hawaii, led by Gytis Nemeiksa’s 16 points and 10 rebounds, fall to 4-1.

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.

Box score

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