Heels rebound against ECU

By Al Myatt
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CHAPEL HILL — East Carolina coach Jeff Lebo didn't relish playing his alma mater coming off a loss and his sentiments had basis as host North Carolina defeated the Pirates 108-64 on Sunday afternoon.

The Tar Heels (6-2) steadily pulled away from ECU (4-5) after overcoming a 10-9 Pirates lead with a seven-point flurry from Isaiah Hicks.

UNC hit a season-high 60 percent from the field and held a commanding 51-29 advantage on the boards.

“I thought North Carolina was terrific," Lebo said. "When I saw they lost to Iowa (60-55, Wednesday night), I about had tears in my eyes because I knew what I was going to get into when we got back here for their next game.

"Their size and athleticism inside took its toll on us. ... It’s nice that when they miss shots that they can get them and get easy ones. We couldn’t do it. That’s some bad shooting from both teams from outside the arc. I think both teams were 0-16 (on three-point field goal attempts) in the first half, so there were a lot of ‘scud missiles’ going up there. But (North Carolina) could get them, and they’re big and their size wore us down. I knew they would be ready to play. Coach (Roy) Williams had them ready to play for this game.”

The Pirates missed their first 12 attempts from behind the arc before Florida State transfer Terry Whisnant, whose dad played football for the Tar Heels, connected on a 3-pointer with 17:24 left to play.

Whisnant led ECU with 15 points. The Pirates, who shot 33 percent from the field, got 13 points from freshman B.J. Tyson and sophomore Caleb White added 11.

ECU continued to play without starters Paris Roberts-Campbell and Marshall Guilmette due to injuries.

UNC was paced by 19 points and 17 rebounds from Brice Johnson.

ECU hosts James Madison on Saturday at 5 p.m.

PAGE UPDATED 12/09/14 12:14 AM.

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