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No. 2 North Carolina faces Gardner-Webb in tuneup game

Nov 19, 2006 - 3:44 PM Gardner-Webb (0-2) at No. 2 North Carolina (2-0) 1:00 pm EST

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (Ticker) - In a tuneup game prior to the NIT Season Tip-Off semifinals against Gonzaga, North Carolina has some things to work on.

Coach Roy Williams will be looking for a better effort from the second-ranked Tar Heels on Sunday, when they meet Gardner-Webb in their home opener.

North Carolina began the tournament by holding just a five-point halftime lead against Sacred Heart before pulling away for a 103-81 victory on Tuesday.

One day later, the Tar Heels needed to rally from a 12-point first-half deficit for a 73-66 triumph over two-time defending Big South Conference champ Winthrop in the second round.

Tyler Hansbrough made 9-of-13 shots, scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for North Carolina. Wayne Ellington added 13 points and Brandan Wright had 12.

Gardner-Webb opened with a 12-point loss to Texas Tech in the first round of the CBE Classic before suffering an 89-61 defeat to Akron in the consolation game of the Lubbock Regional.

Chris Gash scored 12 points and Jake Sims and Thomas Sanders added 10 each for the Runnin' Bulldogs, who feature eight freshmen and three other newcomers on their 15-man roster.

Gardner-Webb came close to a major upset against North Carolina last season before losing, 83-80, on November 19, 2005. Hansbrough scored 21 points and Reyshawn Terry added 13 for the Tar Heels.