North Carolina used a big second-half run to pull away from East Tennessee State.
Leading by 13 points early in the second half, No. 12 UNC responded with a 26-0 run with the points coming from seven players, coasting to an 87-47 win over the Bucs on Wednesday night.
Italee Lucas scored 13 points to lead four players in double figures for the Tar Heels (9-0).
Jessica Breland added 11 points and nine rebounds and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt 11 points, while sophomore guard Krista Gross added a career-high 10.
''We started off sloppy,'' UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell said. ''We got a lot of shots, but we just didn't have our intensity to start the game with. But in the second half we came out and played a lot better. Different players stepped up. Krista had a good game with seven rebounds and 10 points and only one turnover. We're just keeping working and trying to get better.''
Junior guard Natalie Pickwell had a career-high 21 points, including five 3-pointers, and Destiny Mitchell added 10 points for the Bucs (2-5), who have lost five straight and are 0-12 against the Tar Heels.
''I thought we came out with a lot more intensity than we have the last couple of games, so I was really pleased with that,'' ETSU coach Karen Kemp said. ''I thought our effort was good. If someone had said at halftime (UNC) would have only eight offensive rebounds I'd have said 'Oh no, you've got to be kidding me.' I was proud of that, and we did some good things. But they're so athletic and so long and just a good basketball team.''
The Tar Heels shot 46 percent, won the rebound margin 53-39 and forced 31 turnovers on 22 steals.
''Our depth definitely made a difference,'' Lucas said. ''Coach was able to sub a lot of players in and out when players were getting tired or not doing what they were supposed to do. We're way deeper than (ETSU) and it definitely showed.''
UNC led 39-26 at halftime. Pickwell, who came into the game averaging eight points, had 16 points at the break, going 4-for-8 on 3-pointers.
''I missed a few at the beginning, but then I kept shooting and they started falling,'' Pickwell said. ''We were excited to play here. It was a good opportunity to make us hustle and prepare us for (Atlantic Sun) conference play.''
ETSU led 5-4 before the Tar Heels went on an 11-0 run that ended on Gross' 3-pointer at the 11:36 mark.
''I feel good about my progress this season,'' Gross said. ''I worked really hard over the summer on my shooting. I was a little frustrated earlier in the year because my shots weren't falling like they do in practice. But I got my '3' today and I guess that gave me more confidence. I feel very good about where I am right now. I've just got to figure out what my role is and perfect it.''
The Tar Heels put the game away with the run midway through the second half, going up 73-34 on a Breland free throw with 8:14 remaining. Ruffin-Pratt scored seven points during the span.
