Tar Heels continue to dominate Wolfpack in UNC-NC State rivalry

RALEIGH, NC (AP) – Brice Johnson had 22 points and 11 rebounds to help No. 7 North Carolina beat North Carolina State 80-68 on Wednesday night.

Justin Jackson added 17 points for the Tar Heels (23-5, 12-3 Atlantic Coast Conference), who shook off a slow start and an early 13-point hole to extend their recent dominance against their nearby rivals. UNC has won 19 of 21 meetings, including 11 of 13 on the road under coach Roy Williams.

The Tar Heels entered this game alone in first place in the ACC, just ahead of No. 12 Miami. This win will keep them in control, though they still have games at No. 3 Virginia this weekend and at No. 15 Duke in the next week’s regular-season finale.

League-leading scorer Anthony “Cat” Barber scored 32 points for the Wolfpack (14-14, 4-11), who started fast but quickly sputtered.

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