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UNC remains unbeaten, routs NC State

Jan 12, 2008 - 8:26 PM CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (Ticker) -- It took only a half for top-ranked North Carolina to remove any drama from its latest meeting against North Carolina State.

Deon Thompson scored 10 of his 16 points in the first half Saturday as the Tar Heels coasted to a 93-62 victory over the Wolfpack in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup.

A contest which was competitive for the opening nine minutes turned in a blowout as the Tar Heels (17-0, 2-0 ACC) used a 34-4 run to end the first half to build a 43-13 cushion.

"Needless to say, it was a great first half for us," North Carolina coach Roy Williams said. "I think our defense had something to do with it, but it wasn't the only reason."

Using a swarming defense to produce numerous easy baskets, the Tar Heels held the Wolfpack (11-4, 0-1) without a field goal for nearly 10 minutes.

North Carolina State missed 18 straight shots at one point in the first half and shot just 18 percent (6-of-34) in the opening 20 minutes.

"I think our defense had a big thing to do with it, but I mean, they were missing shots, so that also helps," Thompson said. "Our defense was up to where it should be in the first half."

During their surge over the final 14 1/2 minutes of the half, the Tar Heels converted 10 baskets that were either layups or dunks. They held a 21-0 advantage in transition points in the half.

"We just focused on defensive principles and picked up the intensity," said Tar Heels guard Danny Green, who collected 13 points and 14 rebounds. "We got going with good defense and easy baskets."

Thompson threw down two dunks and converted a layup in the surge. His layup with under two minutes remaining in the half provided an insurmountable 41-11 cushion.

Tyler Hansbrough's two free throws at the 14:26 mark of the half started the decisive burst. The 6-9 junior collected nine points of his 13 points in the first half.

After J.J. Hickson made a jumper with 11:33 left in the half to pull the Wolfpack within 16-11, they went scoreless until Courtney Fells sank a long jumper with 80 seconds left before intermission. They trailed 43-13 after Fells' basket.

Lightning-quick point guard Ty Lawson scored 16 points and for North Carolina, which beat NC State for the ninth time in the last 10 meetings. The Tar Heels lead the all-time series, 137-75.

The Tar Heels, who led by at least 27 points the entire second half, shot 49 percent (36-of-74) and held a 50-34 rebounding advantage.

Fells scored 16 points and Hickson added 14 for the the Wolfpack, who shot 37 percent (24-of-65) in having a seven-game winning streak stopped.

"It was a tough one, a tough game," NC State coach Sidney Lowe said. "We played against a very good ballclub. We didn't play particularly well in that first half. We missed a lot of shots inside."