• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Hansbrough closes in on record as North Carolina rolls

Dec 14, 2008 - 5:16 AM CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Another lopsided win moved Tyler Hansbrough a few steps closer to North Carolina's top scoring mark.

Hansbrough scored 26 points as the top-ranked Tar Heels overmatched another opponent, recording a 100-84 victory over Oral Roberts on Saturday.

Going 9-of-18 from the field, Hansbrough moved within nine points of surpassing the 2,290 career total of Phil Ford. North Carolina will be in action again vs. Evansville on Thursday.

"It's amazing in my eyes," senior guard and roommate Bobby Frasor said of Hansbrough. "The way that he works, he deserves everything that he gets."

Asked how he thought how Hansbrough would surpass Ford, Frasor gave a simple answer.

"If I was a betting man, I'd say it's a free throw," he said.

Despite Hansbrough's closing in on the mark, Tar Heels coach Roy Williams is still concerned about his star forward's return from the shin problems that plagued for much of the early part of the season.

"He is not back to 100 percent and is probably the least conditioned I have seen the youngster in my entire life." Williams said.

Deon Thompson had 22 points and Ty Lawson added 18 and seven assists for North Carolina (9-0), which has reached 100 points in four of its last six games.

Playing for the first time in 10 days, the Tar Heels came out sizzling, shooting 59 percent (19-of-32) in the first half for a 54-34 lead at the break. North Carolina's inside strength led the way, as Hansbrough and Thompson combined for 29 points.

Thompson had eight points and Hansbrough chipped in four as the Tar Heels closed the final 6 1/2-plus minutes of the first half with a 21-9 run.

The reigning National Player of the Year, Hansbrough kept it going after the break, even sinking a 3-pointer that made it 83-64 with 8:26 remaining.

Although he was closing in on Ford's record, coach Roy Williams pulled Hansbrough out of the contest with 4:24 left and the Tar Heels ahead, 91-71.

Hansbrough also grabbed nine rebounds and Thompson added eight for UNC, which actually lost the battle on the boards, 43-36.

It was a stat that did not please Williams very much.

"I think it is the first time this year we have been outrebounded," the coach said. "I know it is the first time this year that the margin has been more than one or two.

"I was not pleased at all with what we did on the backboards or on the defense of end. We were just more gifted, playing at home and won the game for those reasons."

Danny Green scored 12 points and Wayne Ellington added 10 as the Tar Heels had all five of their starters reach double figures.

Green took a hit on his head during the contest and needed five stitches to close the wound.

"He got five stitches," Williams said. "Should not stop him from playing Thursday. He should be able to practice Monday."

Robert Jarvis scored 26 points on 10-of-26 shooting for the Golden Eagles (2-7).

Kyron Stokes had 14 points and Marcus Lewis added 13 for Oral Roberts, which outscored UNC, 50-46, in the second half.

"I'm proud of the guys," Golden Eagles coach Sean Sutton said. "I thought they really competed. I thought the guys battled. I thought they really competed throughout the whole game."