No matter that North Carolina won big, coach Sylvia Hatchell felt the defense was off a bit after a long layoff.
''Another inch or so on defense, or a step here and there on a fastbreak, and it's two points,'' North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell said.
Still, the No. 10 Tar Heels rolled to a comfortable 75-49 victory over the College of Charleston on Tuesday.
Waltiea Rolle scored 15 points and Jessica Breland had 14 points for North Carolina (12-0), which never trailed. The Tar Heels led just 10-6 after six minutes before forward Laura Broomfield dominated the offensive glass while scoring seven of her 10 points and helping North Carolina take a 20-8 lead.
UNC went on a 16-0 run late in the first half and led by 23 at halftime. Breland, who had nine rebounds with four assists and three blocks, scored eight of the Tar Heels' 16 points.
The Tar Heels shot 38.5 percent from the field and scored 12 points below their season average in their first game back after a nine-day break.
''I think we were waiting and reacting instead of anticipating,'' Hatchell said. ''When you anticipate, that's money in the bank. When you react, you're a day late and a dollar short.''
Hatchell planned to hold two practices Wednesday.
''We didn't have the mentality to win,'' Rolle said. ''We were a little tired.''
College of Charleston committed 24 turnovers, but Latisha Harris and Brianna Davie gave the Cougars (4-7) more of an inside-outside game in the second half while leading the team with 11 points each.
''No one really got any wide open shots,'' College of Charleston coach Nancy Wilson said. ''But Latisha rebounded really well and gave us some second-shot opportunities. That makes life easier for everyone and it was a big plus for us.''
The Cougars outrebounded the Tar Heels 53-48, grabbing seven more on the offensive glass in a game where both teams took and missed a lot of shots.
''Size-wise, (Harris) is in the same category and she played physically, as if she wasn't scared to go after them,'' Wilson said.
The Cougars played hard against a big team. The physical game may be good preparation for the upcoming conference season for both teams.
''Sometimes calls don't go your way all the time,'' Breland said. ''I think it'll help on the road.''
Hatchell wants more from her players coming off the bench. Nine players played at least 14 minutes.
''I don't like the word 'subs.''' Hatchell said. ''But when they get in, they have to play like they're one of the top five players. Some of them didn't do that today. If they want more playing time they have to play more like that.''
