Hansbrough, Lawson lead Heels to finals in Vegas with win over ODU
Tyler Hansbrough scored 27 points to lead top-ranked North Carolina over Old Dominion 99-82 in semifinal action of the Las Vegas Invitational at Orleans Arena.
Tywon Lawson added a career-high 23 points for the Tar Heels, who will face Brigham Young in the tournament final on Saturday. BYU defeated sixth-ranked Louisville, 78-76, earlier in the night.
Wayne Ellington registered 17 points for North Carolina (4-0), which used a 22-7 run that bridged the first and second halves to pull away.
Brandon Johnson had 16 points to lead the Monarchs (3-2), who have dropped two of three.
Down 39-38 late in the first half, the Tar Heels took over by using a 22-7 run that went into the second half. Tyler Hansbrough hit a pair of free throws and Danny Green drained a three-pointer to end the half and put Carolina ahead, 43-39.
Then, in the second, Tyler Hansbrough drained a pair from the charity stripe to end the run for a 60-48 cushion with 14:39 left.
The Monarchs never threatened after that as the Tar Heels coasted to the win.
Game Notes
ODU fell to 1-3 against No. 1 teams...This was Carolina's second appearance in the state of Nevada...This was the first of a six-game road trip for the Tar Heels.
See more
at www.sportsnetwork.com
