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Friday, Dec. 29 9:00pm ET
North Carolina routs UMass | |||||
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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Joseph Forte scored 16 points and five other players scored in double figures Friday night as North Carolina beat Massachusetts 91-60 in the first round of the Hardee's Tournament of Champions. It was the fifth-consecutive win for the Tar Heels (8-2), who advanced to play College of Charleston in Saturday's final. The Cougars, a 52-48 winner of Richmond in Friday's first game, beat North Carolina 66-64 in this tournament two years ago. Massachusetts (2-8), which was coming off an 11-day layoff for final exams and the holidays, is off to its worst start since 1985-86. The Minutemen have lost eight of nine since a season-opening win over Iona. Still, the Minutemen kept it close through the first half and were still in the game through the first 10 minutes of the second half. The Tar Heels (No. 16 ESPN/USA Today, No. 14 AP), who turned the ball over three times in the first two minutes of the second half, couldn't build a lead bigger than 10 points until a decisive 19-6 run that started with 11:42 to play. Leading 54-43, the Tar Heels forced three quick turnovers in a one minute span and converted them into six straight points for a 60-43 lead. North Carolina then turned up its defensive pressure, forcing 11 of its 19 turnovers in the second half and grabbing 14 steals. They held the Minutemen to six free throws in the decisive run, and wore Massachusetts out with full-court passes and fast-break baskets. The Minutemen shot just 30 percent for the game. After Julius Peppers hit two free throws to put the Tar Heels up 80-54 with 3:46 to go, North Carolina coach Matt Doherty emptied his bench to the delight of the Charlotte Coliseum crowd. Kris Lang scored 12 points for North Carolina, while Jason Capel and Max Owens both added 11. Brendan Haywood and Ronald Curry both had 10. Monty Mack led Massachusetts with 20 points. Micah Brand added 10. | ALSO SEE Men's College Basketball Scoreboard
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