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Off the cuff: The Tar Heels defense stifled Miami's high-scoring guards while the Tar Heels offense was led by their low-scoring guards. The Hurricanes' guards had a hard time getting quality shots while the Tar Heels' guards got a number of layups. In fact, their top four guards finished seven of 29 from the field.

Miami's leading scorer, guard Malcolm Grant, only managed five points and didn't even score his first point until almost six minutes into the second half. It was Dexter Strickland who mostly guarded him.

Meanwhile Strickland had a season-high 14 points, 10 of which came on layups or very short jumpers. Similarly, Kendall Marshall had a season-high 12 points, eight of which came on layups or very short jumpers and two of which came at the free throw line.

At halftime, the school honored Woody Durham, who was the "Voice of the Tar Heels" on radio for 40 years before retiring after last season. Gov. Beverly Perdue presented Durham with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest award for a North Carolinian.

Tar Heels 73, Miami 56
Unlikely scorers pace Heels over Miami

North Carolina guards Kendall Marshall and Dexter Strickland combined for 26 points and 11 assists, and each had his high-scoring game of the year, as the Tar Heels defeated Miami 73-56. (1/10) Click here for a photo gallery.

Marshall helped the Heels go on a 14-4 run over the last four minutes of the first half to claim control of the game by going up 40-25 at the half.

The Tar Heels ran off eight straight points to start the second half to go up 48-25, which would be the largest margin of the game. The lead hovered around 20 the rest of the game before Carolina settled for a 17-point victory.

"At times we were really good defensively," UNC coach Roy Williams said. "On the ugly side, we didn't make any shots."

UNC hit only two of 16 three-pointers while the team's leading scorer Harrison Barnes connected on only two of 13 attempts, including six missed threes. He finished with only six points.

The other big guys - Tyler Zeller and John Henson - were a combined 11 of 26.

"We really are a good shooting team but we didnt shoot it well tonight," Coach Williams said. "We have to have better shot selection and better when we get the offensive rebound."

Carolina outrebounded the Hurricanes on the offensive end by a 16-5 count but often put up a wild or forced shot after the carom.

Nine minutes into the game, the Tar Heels actually trailed 17-16 but they went on a 10-2 run highlighted by a steal and layup by Strickland, an alley oop pass from Marshall to Henson and a long two by Strickland.

Zeller, going four of four at the line, actually led the Heels with 16 points while Strickland had a season-high 14 points and Marshall scored in double figures for the first time this year with 12 points.

The Tar Heels, now 15-2 and 2-0 in the league, play at Florida State Saturday.

Boxscore

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