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Hot-shooting North Carolina bounces back with rout

Jan 8, 2009 - 6:17 AM CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (Ticker) -- North Carolina quickly put its worst shooting game of the season in the rearview mirror.

Tyler Hansbrough had 24 points and seven rebounds as third-ranked North Carolina rebounded from its first loss by throttling the College of Charleston, 108-70, on Wednesday.

Ty Lawson and Deon Thompson each scored 15 points for the Tar Heels (14-1), who shot 59 percent (41-of-70) from the floor.

After cruising through its first 13 games with an average margin of victory by 26.4 points, North Carolina was stunned by Boston College, 85-78, on Sunday. The Tar Heels shot 29 percent (12-of-41) in the second half during the loss and was held under 40 percent overall for the first time this season.

"Needless to say we feel a lot better than we did Sunday," UNC coach Roy Williams said. "Everything feels a lot better. It seems like it was a lot longer than three days ago. Basically it was our opportunity for our players to get their bad taste out of their mouths."

North Carolina would not have a repeat performance as it shot just under 60 percent (22-of-37) in the first half to take a 53-41 lead at the break.

The Tar Heels put the game away early in the second half as they stormed out of the locker rooms, connecting on their first five shots during an 11-0 run that pushed the lead to 64-41 with 17:48 to play.

"I knew they would be hungry," Charleston coach Bobby Cremins said. "I knew Roy would have them ready and they're a great team. They're tough to defend. We really worked hard on their trapping defense, but they're tough - they're very physical."

North Carolina continued to pour it on as Danny Green's 3-pointer sparked a 12-1 run that extended the bulge to 84-52 with 9:55 remaining and the Tar Heels cruised to the finish.

The contest was the last non-conference game for the Tar Heels, who visit unbeaten No. 4 Wake Forest on Sunday.

"They are definitely a lot more experienced than they were last year," Green said about the Demon Deacons. "(They have) a lot of quickness, but we're quick, we like to get out on the floor as well, so it's going to be an up-and-down type of game. I feel like we have a pretty deep bench and a deep enough bench to hopefully try to tire them out."

After hanging around in the first half, Charleston made just 22 percent (8-of-37) of its shots in the second half, including 2-of-15 from the arc over the final 20 minutes.

North Carolina also held a 47-26 advantage on the boards.

"Our defense was better in the second half and they did miss some shots," Williams said. "I do not think it was all our defense. We did a lot better job of rebounding in the second half as well."

Tony White, Jr. scored 16 points to pace the Cougars (10-3), who have lost two straight after a nine-game winning streak.