Radford Highlanders at North Carolina Tar Heels

Williams helps No. 3 North Carolina beats Radford 95-50

The Tar Heels (8-1) were coming off a loss at No. 13 Indiana in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. They had no trouble in this one, though they lost point guard Joel Berry II to a sprained left ankle early in the second half.

Berry, averaging 16 points per game, came up hobbled as he drove into the paint and fell to the floor. He got up and walked slowly to the locker room for evaluation with 17:36 left, but didn't return to the UNC bench.

North Carolina shot 57 percent in the first half to lead 51-27 by the break and cruised from there.

Justin Cousin scored 14 points to lead the Highlanders (3-5).

BIG PICTURE

Radford: The Highlanders, picked sixth in the Big South Conference, had no way to slow the Tar Heels' early tear. And that led to a fourth loss by double-digit margins, three coming by at least 21 points. Still, Radford isn't likely to run up against a team such as UNC in the Big South, either.

UNC: Williams' early burst was another promising sign for the sophomore, who struggled with his shot and confidence last season while buried on a veteran roster. Coach Roy Williams has always loved his defense, but the 6-foot-4 wing hit 5 for 6 from 3-point range with a good-looking and confident stroke. UNC will need more of that, especially if Berry is out for any significant period with the ankle injury.

UP NEXT

Radford: The Highlanders host Elon on Saturday in an early Big South opener.

UNC: The Tar Heels play at home against Davidson on Wednesday night.

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Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap

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• TV Channel: Radford at North Carolina 2021 College Basketball, week 4, is broadcasted on ACCNX.
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