North Carolina won its 15th straight home opener in fine fashion opening up a close game late in the first half and rolling to a 97-57 victory over Chattanooga. (11/13)

Joel Berry led the way with 18 points while Kennedy Meeks added 14 points and 12 rebounds.

The Tar Heels trailed by four early but took a 27-26 lead on a reverse layup by Meeks with 6:50 left in the half and never looked back. A 21-7 run ended the half with the Heels up 44-33.

Carolina scored the first nine points of the second half, including a three pointer by Nate Britt, to give the Heels their first 20-point lead at 53-33.

It never got closer than 18 as the Heels worked the lead up to 30 at 79-49 on a Justin Jackson fastbreak dunk.

The final score was the largest lead of the game.

The Heels outrebounded the Mocs 51-32 and forced 26 turnovers while picking up 14 steals.

After the game, UNC coach Roy Williams told his team "‘think of the real good moments in the game and it was all sparked by hustle, diving on the floor, loose balls, guarding people, those kinds of things."

UNC's Isaiah Hicks said Coach Williams has been emphasizing rebound since Brice Johnson graduated.

"Some practices he stops and looks around saying Brice isn’t here anymore so we have to pick it up," Hicks said. "Kennedy is doing a really great job with that. I think last game he had 15 and tonight he had 12. Just having somebody picking it up, even (freshman) Tony (Bradley) had eight tonight. Everybody’s getting in their trying to get to the board."

The Heels also got balanced scoring as six players scored in double figures. After Berry's 18 and Meeks' 14, Hicks had 13, Bradley and Kenny Williams finished with 12 while Jackson scored 10.

Carolina, 2-0, hosts Long Beach State Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Box Score