CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Freshman Diamond DeShields scored 21 points to help No. 13 North Carolina beat No. 20 North Carolina State 79-70 on Thursday night.
Xylina McDaniel added 15 points for the Tar Heels (13-3, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), who used a 24-2 run late in the first half to take control after an early 10-point deficit. UNC led 45-29 at halftime and by double figures for most of the second half, though the Wolfpack (14-2, 1-1) rallied to within five points three times in the final 3 minutes only to fall short.
Markeisha Gatling had 18 points to lead N.C. State, which had its first national ranking since the 2006-07 season under late Hall of Famer Kay Yow. First-year coach Wes Moore’s team was trying for its first 2-0 ACC start since 2000.
The Tar Heels shot 51 percent, with DeShields scoring 10 points during UNC’s big run.
