With a balanced offensive approach and a staunch defensive effort, the UNC men’s basketball team blasted Belmont Abbey 112-34 in a Friday night exhibition game at the Dean E. Smith Center.

It was all Tar Heels from the outset, as Justin Jackson and Kennedy Meeks netted 10 points each in the opening half and 13 different players got in the scoreboard in all. Jackson finished with 16 points, while Meeks and Isaiah Hicks each scored 14.

UNC head coach Roy Williams likes his team’s chances heading into the regular season.

“We have a chance to be much better this year than we were last year. With J.P. and Justin at 2,3, they’re 6’7, 6’8, with their length and athleticism they have, and Marcus (Paige) is as good of a defender as I’ve ever had as a point guard, so that’s pretty strong on the perimeter. And you get the big guys in there, then you have a chance,” Coach Williams says.

Belmont Abbey hit just five field goals in the opening half, including a pair of three-pointers. The Crusaders were 5 of 26 from the field and hit just one of two free throws. The visitors had serious trouble getting anything going, committing 17 turnovers eclipsing even their rebound total (14) for the opening 20 minutes.

Tar Heel bench celebrates (Todd Melet)

Tar Heel bench celebrates (Todd Melet)

A Marcus Paige trey gave UNC a 7-0 lead just two minutes in, while a Hicks dunk made it 30-6 at the 9:10 mark. Hicks added another emphatic dunk with just four seconds left in the opening half to make it 57-13 heading into intermission.

The Tar Heels continued their crisp play after the break, scoring the first eight points to extend their lead to 65-13. About the only question in the second half would be when the Tar Heels would reach the century mark.

A Nate Britt free throw with 4:42 remaining made the answer an affirmative one. Theo Pinson then put on a mini-show with a dunk, followed by a steal and a successful jumper as the Tar Heels pushed their lead to 104-29.

J.P. Tokoto added 11 points and six rebounds and Nate Britt chipped in with 10 points and four assists for the Tar Heels.

Drexler Clark was the lone Crusaders player to reach double-figures in scoring, netting 14 points.

UNC opens its non-conference slate when it welcomes NC Central to the Smith Center next Friday (11/14). It marks the first of six straight home games until the Tar Heels travel to Kentucky to play the Wildcats on Dec. 13.

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