Men's Hoops Falls To No. 12 North Carolina
Jan 7, 2004
By AARON BEARD
Associated Press Writer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Sean May had 23 points and 16 rebounds to lead No.12 North Carolina past Miami 89-64 on Wednesday night.
Jawad Williams, Rashad McCants and Jackie Manuel each scored 15 points forthe Tar Heels (9-2), who earned their 200th win in the 18-year history of theSmith Center. North Carolina improved to 93-11 against nonconference opponentsin the building which opened in January 1986.
Robert Hite scored 27 points to lead the Hurricanes (10-4), who fell to 1-7against their future Atlantic Coast Conference rival. Darius Rice finished withseven points – 11 below his average – for Miami, which leaves the Big East forthe ACC next season.
The Hurricanes won last year’s matchup, taking a 64-61 overtime win as NorthCarolina went without a field goal for the final 12 minutes. The Tar Heels hadno such offensive troubles Wednesday, getting nine straight field goals fromMay to take control.
They increased their lead to 23 points midway through the second half behindseveral transition baskets, and shot 50 percent for the game.
Miami shot 38 percent and finished with 22 turnovers against the trappingNorth Carolina defense.
The Tar Heels, who were coming off a 61-56 loss at Kentucky on Saturday,needed this win as they continued through a tough January schedule. NorthCarolina faces No. 8 Georgia Tech on Sunday, then travels to Maryland beforehosting No. 1 Connecticut next week.
May got the Tar Heels going, providing a steady shooting touch inside andthe tough rebounding that helped ignite North Carolina’s fast break. Afterstarting 0-for-3, he hit his last eight shots of the first half and finishedwith 17 points and seven rebounds.
The 6-foot-9, 260-pound sophomore did it with an array of moves, from thesoft turnaround jumper in the lane to a dunk off a steal from midcourt. He alsohad a long outlet pass that led to a layup by McCants, capping a 10-2 run thatgave the Tar Heels a 44-31 lead with 1:39 to play in the half.
May hit his ninth straight shot 15 seconds into the second half, and the TarHeels never let their margin dip below 10 points.
