University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Hampton
Men's Basketball Puts Away Hampton
June 21, 1999 | Men's Basketball
November 23, 1998
Box Score
HAMPTON, Va. (AP) - Torrey Farrington did all he could to spoil the homecoming of Jason Capel and Ronald Curry, two of the nation's top recruits last year.
But Farrington's 21 points, including five 3-pointers, and nine rebounds weren't quite enough Monday night as Hampton fell to No. 9 North Carolina 86-75.
"Whenever you go on the road, it's going to be a tough game," said Capel, from nearby Chesapeake. "We had to play through. This is a hostile environment. Hampton is a tough team. We're glad just to get out of here with a victory."
Ademola Okulaja had 18 points and eight rebounds, and Capel scored 13 points, including 9-of-10 free throws, as the Tar Heels pulled away in the second half.
Curry, who grew up in Hampton and also plays quarterback for the North Carolina football team, entered the game with 58 seconds left and made one free throw. He also had a shot blocked and committed two turnovers.
Hampton closed within four points early in the second half, but North Carolina (4-0) broke the game open by scoring seven straight points to take a 67-54 lead with about eight minutes left. The Pirates (0-3) couldn't get closer than 11 after that.
The Tar Heels made 21 of 29 free throws, while Hampton was 6-for-6 from the line. The Pirates committed 23 personal fouls to North Carolina's eight.
"They're not a real aggressive defensive team and for that reason they don't foul a lot," Hampton coach Steve Merfeld said. "We are."
Greg Brown had 15 points for the Pirates and Doug Belton scored 12. The Pirates never led, but tied the game three times in the first half. The Tar Heels then scored eight straight points and led 43-33 at halftime.
Farrington had 15 of his 21 points in the first half as the Tar Heels concentrated on him after the intermission.
"We had to, because he was carrying the team for awhile," Okulaja said. "He was knocking down the big shots. We were fortunate he stopped shooting so well."
North Carolina coach Bill Guthridge said his opponents were well prepared. "I think probably on defense we weren't able to stop them as much," he said.
Facing a much bigger North Carolina team, Merfeld said he knew his players would have to rely on outside shooting and step up the defensive pressure inside.
"If there is one weakness to this North Carolina team, it is they don't shoot the perimeter jumpers that well," he said.
Although Capel and Curry were local stars, Guthridge said the game originally was scheduled for Brian Bersticker, who is from Virginia Beach. ersticker, a sophomore starter, scored eight points in 15 minutes.
By SONJA BARISIC
Associated Press Writer
