Right-hand man, Nate Britt, leads UNC to home-opener win

FAIRFIELD STAGS | 65

#1 UNC TAR HEELS | 92

Big-Time Players: 
Nate Britt
17 points (6-9, 4-6 3's), 5 assists

Brice Johnson
16 points (8-10 FT), 11 rebounds

Nate Britt matched a career-high in points (17) and led North Carolina (2-0) in scoring in a 92-65 win over the Fairfield Stags (0-2). Another successful night from 3-point range, making 4 of 6 attempts, helped aid Britt's second strong performance of this young season.

As a freshman, Britt was a left handed shooter, but during the off-season, before his sophomore season, Coach Roy Williams asked Britt to switch to shooting with his right hand. Last season, many were critical of whether or not he should have made the switch, but now in his junior season, Britt has already proved that right is right.

#0 Nate Britt
Courtesy: J.D. Lyon Jr. (goheels.com)

Four other Tar Heels joined Britt in double-figures. After struggling Friday night, Justin Jackson netted 11 points and definitely played like the player North Carolina fans hope to see. 

Senior Brice Johnson posted his second consecutive double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while sophomores Joel Berry II and Theo Pinson scored 15 and 11 points, respectively.

Pinson also dished out 8 assists, which is exciting coming from a guy that did not play much of last season due to a broken left foot. Teams got a glimpse of what type of numbers he is capable of putting up before his injury, but a healthy Pinson this season will be very dangerous for future opponents.

North Carolina was unable to pull away from the Fairfield Stags in the first half, who trailed the Tar Heels by only an 8-point deficit going into halftime. Free-throw shooting has been an Achilles' heel for the Tar Heels and will need to be improved upon for them to put away teams like Fairfield much earlier than they did tonight. 

Fairfield senior Marcus Gilbert led all scorers with 25 points before fouling out in the final minutes.

The Tar Heels will welcome the Wofford Terriors, who have made it to four of the last six NCAA Tournaments, Wednesday night for a 7 PM tip-off. The game will be televised on the Raycom Sports Network and can be viewed on ESPN3.

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