Victory Soothes Tar Heels’ Pain

There were ice bags scattered all over the North Carolina locker room, and players had a tough time getting their uniforms off.

But the pain felt good for the No. 10-ranked Tar Heels on Tuesday night after an 88-81 victory over No. 11 Illinois at Greensboro, N.C., in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

North Carolina (4-0) outlasted one of the nation’s deepest teams behind Sean May’s 23 points and 14 rebounds -- both career highs.

“Right now is one of those high moments in coaching that you really enjoy,” Coach Roy Williams said. “If we play like this, we’ve got a chance.”

May, sidelined most of last season because of a broken foot, was nearly unstoppable at times in the paint.

“I grew up watching the Big Ten, and it’s always been the most physical conference in the country,” May said. “We knew we had to match their physical play.”

May got plenty of help from Rashad McCants, who scored 20 points, and Jawad Williams, who had 18 points and 12 rebounds. The five North Carolina starters logged at least 31 minutes.

“When you’re excited like that, playing in a big game, fatigue doesn’t really play a part,” Jawad Williams said.

The Tar Heels shut down Illinois’ scoring leader, Dee Brown, who finished with eight points.

No. 2 Florida 102, Florida A&M; 78 -- Matt Walsh celebrated his 21st birthday with 15 points to help lift the Gators (3-0) at home.

Florida overcame a 31-point effort from Terrence Woods, a former Tennessee player who moved to Florida A&M; (0-4) before last season.

No. 4 Missouri 70, Coppin State 61 -- The Tigers (2-0) survived their second consecutive scare, getting 16 points from Travon Bryant at Columbia, Mo.

Nicholas King scored 25 points and made five three-point baskets for Coppin State (2-5).

No. 12 St. Joseph’s 84, San Francisco 52 -- Jameer Nelson scored 18 points for St. Joseph’s (4-0) at Philadelphia.

James Bayless had 16 points for the Dons (3-4), who committed 24 turnovers, 15 in the first half.

No. 14 Oklahoma 94, Arkansas Pine Bluff 24 -- The host Sooners (4-0) posted Coach Kelvin Sampson’s most lopsided victory in 10 seasons with the team.

The 24 points were the fewest by an Oklahoma opponent in 60 years.

Oklahoma limited the Golden Lions (0-4) to nine field goals and 21% shooting.

Maryland 73, No. 15 Wisconsin 67 -- Jamar Smith scored a career-high 25 points, including the go-ahead basket with 56 seconds left, and the Terrapins registered an ACC-Big Ten Challenge upset at College Park, Md.

Smith also had 12 rebounds, his fourth double-double in four games.

The Terrapins (4-0) are 92-1 in nonconference home games since Dec. 12, 1989.

Devin Harris scored 24 points for the Badgers (3-1).

No. 18 Wake Forest 100, Indiana 67 -- Eric Williams scored 25 points and freshman Chris Paul had 20 for the Demon Deacons (4-0) in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge at Winston-Salem, N.C.

The Demon Deacons extended their home winning streak to 19 games.

Bracey Wright scored 27 points for Indiana (2-2).

No. 19 Cincinnati 68, Valparaiso 49 -- Jason Maxiell had 20 points and 11 rebounds for Cincinnati (4-0) in its only road game before beginning Conference USA play next month.

Joaquim Gomes led Valparaiso (1-3) with 10 points.

WOMEN

No. 1 Connecticut 69, Siena 45 -- Ann Strother had 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists to help extend the Huskies’ home winning streak to 67 games.

The Huskies (4-0) are two victories shy of matching Tennessee’s record for most consecutive victories at home.

No. 10 Louisiana Tech 96, Tulane 37 -- Amber Obaze scored 18 points, and Amisha Carter added 15 points and 14 rebounds for Louisiana Tech (3-0) at Ruston, La.

No. 12 Kansas State 60, Northern Illinois 41 -- Kendra Wecker had 20 points and 11 rebounds and the Wildcats (3-2) won their 21st consecutive home game.

No. 18 Louisiana State 78, No. 22 Rutgers 68 -- Doneeka Hodges scored 23 points, and Seimone Augustus had 19 for the host Tigers (3-2).

Rutgers (3-3) was led by Cappie Pondexter’s 18 points.

No. 19 Utah 69, St. Mary’s 40 -- Kim Smith scored 18 points and the No. 19 Utes (4-1) held St. Mary’s (3-2) to 11 points in the first half at Salt Lake City.

No. 21 Texas Christian 73, Texas Arlington 43 -- Adrienne Ross scored 12 points at Fort Worth for the Horned Frogs (4-0), off to their best start in 11 years.

Oklahoma State 62, No. 24 Michigan State 60 -- Nina Stone made two free throws with 26 seconds left to pull off the upset at Stillwater, Okla.

Trisha Skibbe had 20 points for Oklahoma State (2-3).

Liz Shimek made two free throws to give the Spartans (4-1) a 60-59 lead with 47 seconds left.