National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
North Carolina 97, McNeese St. 63
When: 12:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 22, 2012
Where: Dean E. Smith Student Activities Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Officials: # Brian Dorsey, # Dwayne Gladden, # Jerry Heater
Attendance: 18258


No. 19 North Carolina 97, McNeese State 63:
P.J. Hairston scored a career-high 20 points as the Tar Heels cruised to an easy win over the visiting Cowboys.

North Carolina (9-3) held McNeese State to just six points in the first 9:50 of the opening half, building a 16-point lead that was never threatened. After Craig McFerrin scored a layup with 7:32 to bring McNeese State within 29-12, the Tar Heels went on a 25-11 tear to increase the lead to 31 at halftime.

Reggie Bullock added 17 points for North Carolina, including five 3-pointers, as the Tar Heels shot 46.4 percent (13-of-28) from beyond the arc. James Michael McAdoo had 12 points and seven rebounds, while Leslie McDonald chipped in 11 points.

Jeremie Mitchell paced McNeese State (6-4) with 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting. McFerrin finished with 10 points.

The Tar Heels, who came into the game ranked third in the nation averaging 44.7 rebounds, finished with a 52-36 advantage against the Cowboys.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The 34-point margin of defeat was easily the worst of the year for the Cowboys. … The win improved North Carolina to 6-0 at home this season. The Tar Heels are 3-3 away from the Smith Center. … McNeese State won't play against until 2013, with a trip to Northwestern State the team's next scheduled game on Jan. 3. UNC is off for a week before hosting UNLV on Dec. 29.


Top Game Performances
 
McNeese St.   North Carolina
Jeremie Mitchell 13 Scoring P.J. Hairston 20
Dontae Cannon 4 Assists Marcus Paige 9
Desharick Guidry 9 Rebounds P.J. Hairston 8
Dontae Cannon 2 Free Throws Made P.J. Hairston 7
Desharick Guidry 2 Steals Leslie McDonald 2
Craig McFerrin 4 Blocks P.J. Hairston 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
McNeese St. 63 35.6 3-17 8-19 12 36 5 8 10
North Carolina 97 47.3 13-28 14-22 29 52 3 5 14