Nov. 24, 2002
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NORFOLK, VA. (AP) - Jawad Williams scored 18 points as North Carolina held on to beat Old Dominion 67-59 on Sunday.
Rashad McCants scored 17 points and Sean May added 16 and a team-high eight rebounds for the Tar Heels (3-0).
Rasheed Wright scored 17 points and hit three of his six 3-point attempts for ODU (0-1), which outscored the Tar Heels in the second half.
The Tar Heels (3-0) jumped out to a quick lead in the first half behind a 3-pointer, two free throws and a layup by Williams. McCants added four points during the run. North Carolina led 37-26 at the half.
Old Dominion hung around in the second half pulling to 56-63 with 1:59 to play but could score only three more until the final buzzer.
The Monarch shot 19-of-65 from the field, compared to the Heels' 25-of-52.
North Carolina coach Matt Doherty was grateful for the win against pesky ODU.
"They made a run at us and we answered," Doherty said. "ODU exposed that we have to bring great energy to every game."
Williams shot 7-of-11 from the field, including 2-of-3 beyond arc and had four rebounds.
"I want him to get more rebounds, but he played a good game," Doherty said.
Old Dominion coach Blaine Taylor said his team suffered from "first-game jitters" but said his players kept their cool.
He credited Wright's leadership for helping calm his players when they fell behind early.
"He had tremendous composure on the court and it spilled over to the other players," Taylor said.
Alex Loughton and Ricardo Marsh each scored 13 points for the Monarch and grabbed eight rebounds apiece.
The game was the first men's basketball game in ODU's new Ted Constant Convocation Center.
