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Quick start helps North Carolina roll past UNC-Asheville

Dec 17, 2006 - 2:00 AM CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Brandan Wright and Tyler Hansbrough had no problems with North Carolina-Asheville's gigantic duo.

Wright and Hansbrough combined for 36 points and 16 rebounds as third-ranked North Carolina posted a 93-62 victory over North Carolina-Asheville.

A freshman forward who has stepped into the starting lineup alongside Hansbrough, Wright scored 15 of his 21 points in the first half as the Tar Heels raced out to a 27-8 start and a 56-39 advantage at the break.

Wright played a big part in the early spurt, scoring seven straight points and nine of the last 11.

Hansbrough, a candidate for the Wooden Award, added 15 points against the Bulldogs, who feature a pair of 7-footers, including 7-6, 335-pound sophomore Kenny George.

George and 7-1 junior C.J. Walker combined for just six points and three rebounds in 22 minutes for the Bulldogs.

In all, the Tar Heels had a strong defensive effort, holding the Bulldogs to 34 percent (19-of-56) and forcing 18 turnovers. Two of those giveaways ended up being shot-clock violations.

"I think that we can be good defensively, I really do. I think we're going to get there," North Carolina coach Roy Williams said. "I think that was very encouraging to the guys. When you get someone to have two shot-clock violations, that's the kind of defense you want to play.

"Their goal was to try to run some clock. I'm not saying they were trying to spread and hold it, but I didn't think they wanted to shoot quickly and for us to play defense the whole 35 seconds."

Freshman guard Wayne Ellington scored 15 points and Reyshawn Terry added 13 for North Carolina (8-1), which shot 48 percent (36-of-75) from the field and held a 50-34 advantage in rebounding.

The third freshman in the Tar Heels' starting lineup, point guard Ty Lawson added six points and eight assists as North Carolina eclipsed 90 points for the sixth time this season.

"North Carolina is great at execution," NC-Asheville coach Eddie Biedenbach said. "Their only problem is their lack of experience, having freshmen in there. But, those freshmen are very good players and they have so much room to improve. To be such a good team with young players, there's no telling how good they can be."

The Tar Heels improved to 4-0 all-time against their intrastate foe. A native of Asheville, Williams beat the Big South Conference school for the fifth time in as many chances.

Bryan Smithson scored 20 points for North Carolina-Asheville (4-6), which fell to 0-2 against Atlantic Coast Conference teams this season.