| Rashad-less
Heels Dump Pack
by Associated Press
All Melvin Scott needed was a chance.
Stuck on the bench lately in a horrid shooting
slump, the senior guard replaced the ill
Rashad McCants in the starting lineup and
scored 12 points to lead No. 2 North Carolina
past North Carolina State 81-71 on Tuesday
night.
Raymond Felton had 21 points, seven assists
and five rebounds for the Tar Heels (23-3,
11-2), who extended their lead in the Atlantic
Coast Conference to a full game over No.
6 Wake Forest. Jawad Williams added 15 points
for North Carolina and Sean May and freshman
Marvin Williams each scored 14.
McCants didn't even make the 25-mile trip
because of an intestinal disorder, giving
Scott his second start of the year. He had
scored only 10 points in his previous four
games and was 0-for-8 from 3-point range
in that span. Even worse, as one of only
three links to the Matt Doherty era, Scott
saw his playing diminish, too.
None of that was a problem against the Wolfpack
(15-11, 5-8). Scott finished 4-of-8 on 3s,
including two on each side of halftime to
give North Carolina a commanding lead. Perhaps
inspired by his performance, Scott's teammates
also found the range from beyond the arc,
finishing 10-of-21.
With N.C. State creeping closer in the second
half, the Tar Heels made the most of three
second-chance opportunities, turning each
into 3-pointers to pull away.
May rebounded a miss by Felton, then threw
a pass back outside, where Felton was stationed
behind the line. He swished his jumper to
make it 56-50, and after Ilian Evtimov missed
a 3 on the other end, Jawad Williams used
a screen from Jackie Manuel to get free for
an open look from the corner.
Finally, when Scott had one of his rare
misses, Felton added another 3-pointer for
a 12-point lead. N.C. State got no closer
than seven the rest of the way.
Julius Hodge had 20 points on a season-high
four 3s for the Wolfpack, who had a modest
two-game winning streak snapped. Any hopes
of a fourth straight trip to the NCAA tournament
likely requires victories in their final
three games, including a matchup against
Wake Forest to end the season.
N.C. State fell behind 49-39 early in the
second half before rallying behind freshman
Andrew Brackman. He had all eight of his
points in a span of about 60 seconds, including
a 3-pointer. He capped his personal run by
converting a three-point play on a foul by
Jawad Williams, and the Wolfpack was within
three.
Felton then took advantage of an extra opportunity
for his 3, and the Tar Heels hung on.
Engin Atsur had 14 points for N.C. State. |