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Hansbrough returns to home state of Missouri

Dec 22, 2006 - 4:18 PM No. 2 North Carolina (9-1) at Saint Louis (9-2) 7:00 pm EST

ST LOUIS (Ticker) -- Tyler Hansbrough returns to the state where he prepared himself for Atlantic Coast Conference basketball.

Hansbrough and No. 2 North Carolina, which is on a six-game winning streak, visit St. Louis on Friday.

For the first part of the decade, Hansbrough was all the talk around Poplar Bluff - which is about 150 miles from St. Louis - and finished his high school career with back-to-back state titles.

Last season, the 6-9 sophomore was named ACC Freshman of the Year, averaging 19 points and nearly eight rebounds while shooting 58 percent from the floor.

Hansbrough scored 20 points and freshman Brandan Wright added 15 and eight rebounds as the Tar Heels blasted Florida Atlantic, 105-52 on Tuesday. Freshman Wayne Ellington and Reyshawn Terry both had 14 points, combining for six 3-pointers for UNC, which shot 74 percent (20-of-27) in the first half.

The Billikens edged Missouri, 51-50, on Monday for their fourth straight win. Ian Vouyoukas, who scored 13 points, converted a follow shot as time expired to seal the comeback victory.

Kevin Lisch netted 15 points for St. Louis, which survived 22 turnovers and 1-of-10 shooting from the arc while improving to 5-0 at home.

The Tar Heels hold a 2-1 edge in the all-time series.