University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Davidson
Tar Heels Make Easy Work of Davidson, 79-64
January 8, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Jan 8, 2003
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By AARON BEARD
Associated Press Writer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - Rashad McCants had 19 points while Melvin Scott and Jawad Williams each added 15 as North Carolina beat Davidson 79-64 on Wednesday, avenging last year's shocking home loss.
Raymond Felton had 13 points for the Tar Heels (9-4), who have surpassed their win total for all of last season. The Tar Heels went 8-20 in 2001-02 and missed the NCAA tournament for the first time in 27 years.
North Carolina went 13-for-35 from 3-point range, setting a school single-game record for attempts. The Tar Heels attempted 34 3s in last year's season-opening loss to Hampton, which was followed by the 58-54 home loss to the Wildcats (7-4).
The Tar Heels shot 30 percent in that loss, including a 6-for-20 performance from behind the arc. They shot just 39 percent Wednesday, but hit plenty of open looks from 3-point range.
Wayne Bernard had 20 to lead Davidson, which came into the game shooting 45 percent from 3-point range. The Wildcats shot 9-for-27 from behind the arc.
The teams were tied midway through the first half before North Carolina hit four of its last six 3-point tries to take a double-digit lead. The Wildcats never seriously challenged after that, at one point missing 14 of 17 shots and eight straight 3s.
Leading 46-29 at halftime, the Tar Heels increased the lead to 58-35 on 3-pointers from David Noel and McCants midway through the half. Scott's 3-pointer from the left wing gave the Tar Heels a 68-50 lead with 6:39 left and tied the record for attempts.
Scott hit another 3 from the left wing with 1:10 left that set the record and gave the Tar Heels a 79-60 lead.
Davidson jumped to a 13-6 lead after Bernard hit consecutive 3-pointers and Peter Anderer added a third. But the Tar Heels soon found their range against the Wildcats' zone defense.
With the game tied at 22, North Carolina hit four of its next five shots - including 3s from Felton and Scott - to spark an 18-3 run. During that stretch, the Tar Heels forced the Wildcats into six straight misses.
Williams hit a 3 from the right wing to end the run, giving North Carolina a 40-25 lead with 2:38 left in the first half. The Tar Heels went 6-for-6 at the free-throw line in the final 75 seconds of the half for the 17-point halftime lead.
