The Tar Heels jump out to an early double digit lead and carry it through until halftime on the way to a 96-72 win over Tulane.
Call it the typical Brice Johnson bounce-back game. The script is fairly predictable for the senior big man. After games where he does not play well or spends much of the game in foul trouble, Johnson comes back in the next game with an inspired effort. In this case, Johnson's big first half fueled UNC to a substantial lead at the break. For the half Johnson shot 7-11 from the floor for 17 points while grabbing seven rebounds. Isaiah Hicks, with some extended minutes in the absence of Kennedy Meeks came off the bench to score 8 points.
Theo Pinson's three with five seconds left gave UNC a 51-28 lead but Louis Dabney's shot from near halfcourt made it a 19 point Tar Heel lead at the break.
The second half opened with UNC in a serious shooting funk and Tulane hitting on all offensive cylinders. Midway through the half UNC was shooting just 31% for the period while Tulane shot 8-for-13 cutting the Tar Heel lead to as little as 13. UNC's advantage stood at 70-55 when a flurry of Tar Heel points put the game away. During a 15-0 run, Marcus Paige hit a pair of threes, Justin Jackson hit two shots and Joel Berry canned a shot from outside to double the lead in a span of two and a half minutes.
UNC stayed hot until turning matters over to the bench who finished out the 24 point win.
For the game UNC had six players in double figures. Brice Johnson finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Marcus Paige poured it on late for 16 points and 4-8 shooting from three. Justin Jackson had 13 points, Joel Berry 12, Isaiah Hicks 11 and Theo Pinson 10. The Tar Heels finished with 30 assists on 36 made baskets.
