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Off the cuff: FSU coach Leonard Hamilton stated the obvious after the game when he said, "They're a different team without Lawson. Lawson is the quarterback of this team." But he went on to say that Lawson may be the best guard in America at penetrating and he's the perfect guard for Carolina's team.

Florida State took way too many three point shots (31) but still almost made it work with two of their six made shots in the last two minutes of regulation.

By the way, announcer Woody Durham' made the Duke "airball" call three times in this game. Maybe Carolina's guards should slap the floor too when they are setting up on the defensive end. Maybe there are some other ways the Heels and their fans can emulate the Dukies.

For the second time in two games an official asked a player to pull up his "shorts." Isn't it time to shorten these dresses players wear today? Having visited the new Carolina basketball museum, it was nice seeing the old uniforms. Maybe the seamstress can take 'em up an inch a year until they at least look like shorts again and aren't so baggy that the shirttails come out and the underwear shows. Radio color analyst Eric Montross said it wasn't a pleasant site when the player bent over right in front of him, just before the official made him straighten everything up.

Hansbrough is the ACC's leading scorer and rebounder. Even though he was held without a field goal until about 10 minutes left, he managed to scored 22 points. His free throw percentage has steadily improved in each of his three season with the Heels and that's making the difference. He was 10 of 12 from the line. If teams want to be physical with Hansbrough, they'll pay the price ... eventually.

Now with 10 losses overall and six in the league, the Seminoles will have to finish 6-2 just to reach .500 in the league. They have not been invited to the NCAA tournament in nine seasons.

Florida State has been averaging 73 points a game and that's exactly what the Seminoles got although it took overtime to get it. The Tar Heels have been averaging 91 points and couldn't reach that even with overtime. Again, Carolina is a different team without Lawson.

Heels 84, Seminoles 73 (OT)
Carolina survives injuries and unlikely three-pointer

UNC survived the loss of Ty Lawson, rough inside play and an unlikely three-pointer by Florida State to defeat the Seminoles 84-73 in overtime. (2/3)

Lawson played just four minutes before twisting his ankle. His status for the Duke game Wednesday is not known. He'll try to practice on Tuesday.

The tough, physical defense on Tyler Hansbrough seemed to be working as he was held without a field goal until less than 10 minutes to go in the game. But he continued to get free throw opportunities and came through with eight points (three field goals and two free throws) in overtime.

The overtime was forced when Florida State's Ryan Reid, who had not even attempted a three-point shot this season, drained one with eight seconds left to make it 67-67.

Hansbrough opened the overtime scoring with a pair of free throws to make it 69-67. A minute later, Deon Thompson sank one of two free throws to up the advantage to 70-67.

Florida State's Jason Rich, who scored 22 on the day to lead the Seminoles, scored in the lane to make it 70-69. Danny Green then drove to the basket between two defenders, putting it up and in left-handed and was fouled. Following the free throw, Carolina was up 73-69 with to 2:53 left in overtime.

A Hansbrough follow after a Marcus Ginyard miss on a fast break put the Heels up 75-69 with 2:09 to go. Toney Douglas hit a pair of free throws to bring the Seminoles to within four with 1:58 left.

Hansbrough hit a big jump hook from the right side with 1:25 to give the Heels a 77-71 lead. The Seminoles never got closer as the Heels finished with a Hansbrough bucket and five of six free throws for the final 84-73 tally.

Ginyard was slowed by turf toe and was a game-time decision as to whether he was going to play. After Lawson went down, the Tar Heels were faced with a challenge. Coach Roy Williams said he was proud of his team's tough play.

"For our kids to bounce back and play like they did in overtime was really important for us," Coach Williams said pointing to contributions by Quentin Thomas replacing Lawson, Danny Green and Hansbrough.

He said you have to be able to win "ugly" games like this one. Without Lawson, Carolina turned the ball over 21 times, the most this season. Thomas did score nine points, a career high, and made some solid contributions.

The difference was the free throw shooting, as the Tar Heels scored 27 from the line (27 of 33 for 82 percent), and the rebounding, as the Heels outrebounded the Seminoles by an amazing 54-26 margin.

Hansbrough led the way with 22 points (12 of them from the foul line) and a career-high 21 rebounds. Green scored 19 and Thompson had 11.

Carolina got out to a quick 8-1 lead and was ahead 8-3 when Lawson went down under the basket. On the play, Reid seemed to pull Lawson down and Lawson's ankle got caught underneath him.

The Tar Heels held a lead until a deep three by Isaiah Swann tied it at 24 and a follow shot by Jordan Demercy gave the Seminoles a 26-25 lead. Thomas later drove the baseline to score and give the Heels a 31-29 halftime lead.

With the Heels still up by two at 47-45 in the second half, Alex Stepheson got free for a dunk and was fouled. Following the free throw, Carolina was up 50-45. Hansbrough scored his first field goal of the game with 9:41 to go to give the Heels a 52-45 lead.

The Seminoles cut the lead to one of several occasions but after Green swished a three and came back with a bucket on a nice feed by Thomas, it looked as if the Tar Heels might win it in regulation. Hansbrough sank two free throws with two minutes to play to give the Heels a 66-58 advantage.

The Seminoles went on a 9-1 run to force the overtime after that three-pointer by Reid. Ironically - because Florida State hit only six of 31 three pointers - it took two three pointers in that stretch to force the extra five minutes.

The Tar Heels move to 21-1 and 6-1 in the ACC while Florida State falls to 13-10 and 2-6 in the league.

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