TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — P.J. Hairston scored a career-high 23 points and North Carolina defeated defending Atlantic Coast Conference champion Florida State 77-72 Saturday, almost a year to day after suffering a 33-point loss against the Seminoles.
Hairston made 9 of 14 shots, including four of nine from beyond the arc for North Carolina, which shot 48.3 percent overall and 40 percent from 3-point range.
The Tar Heels (11-5, 1-2) led 33-31 at halftime and took the lead for good at 73-72 with 3:09 left on Jackson Simmons’ basket.
James McAdoo added 14 points and eight rebounds, and Reggie Bullock had 12 points and eight rebounds as the Tar Heels dominated the boards with a 41-19 margin, including a decisive 19-6 advantage on the offensive boards.
Okaro White led the Seminoles (10-6, 2-1) with 15 points — all in the second half. Terry Whisnant added 14 points and Terrance Shannon 12 for Florida State.
