Hot shooting Tar Heels show their versatility in Maui rout of Oklahoma State

Point guard Joel Berry broke out of a two-game slump in Hawaii by scoring 24 points on 7 of 10 shooting to lead the fourth-ranked Tar Heels into tonights tournament championship game against Wisconsin

Brian Spurlock—X02835
Nov 22

North Carolina’s big men took center stage Monday in an opening round victory against Chaminade in the Maui Invitational. Tuesday, it was a trio of talented perimeter players that led the way for the Tar Heels in a 107-75 semifinal rout of Oklahoma State. Point guard Joel Berry broke out of a two-game slump in Hawaii by scoring 24 points on 7 of 10 shooting while wing Justin Jackson added 22 points and reserve Nate Britt had 12 to lead the fourth-ranked Tar Heels into tonight’s tournament championship game against Wisconsin. UNC (6-0) will be going for its fourth Maui Invitational title. In all three of the previous years the Tar Heels won the event, they went on to play in the Final Four, twice winning the national championship. This year’s team got off to a quick start against Oklahoma State, easily handling the Cowboys’ fullcourt pressure to jump out to a 16-4 lead in the first 4½ minutes. It kept the heat on by shooting 57.8 percent from the floor and making 8 of 17 of its 3-point attempts — including a combined 7 of 10 from Berry and Kenny Williams. UNC also got contributions from its frontcourt, as Isaiah Hicks, Kennedy Meeks and Tony Bradley also scored in double figures in the lopsided victory. Starters Hicks and Meeks also added eight rebounds apiece while freshman Bradley scored 13 points and has now hit for double figures in each of his six games as a Tar Heel.Jawun Evans led Oklahoma State (4-1) with 30 points.