Hatchell returns to bench after leukemia fight for No. 13 Tar Heels in 83-49 win vs. Howard

North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell, left, directs her team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Howard in Chapel Hill, N.C., Friday, Nov. 14, 2014. Hatchell returned to the court to coach her first regular season game since being treated for cancer. Associate coach Andrew Calder, right, looks on. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) (The Associated Press)

North Carolina's Allisha Gray dribbles the ball as Howard's Te'Shya Heslip (2) chases during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Friday, Nov. 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) (The Associated Press)

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Allisha Gray scored 19 points to help No. 13 North Carolina beat Howard 83-49 on Friday afternoon, giving Hall of Fame coach Sylvia Hatchell a successful return to the bench after missing last year while battling leukemia.

Xylina McDaniel added 16 points for the Tar Heels, who overcame a slow start with a 21-0 run to blow the game open late in the first half. UNC shot 44 percent and scored 30 points off turnovers against the Lady Bison.

Cheyenne Brown had 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead Howard, which shot 34 percent but hung tough on the boards.

Hatchell, whose 936 career wins are second to Tennessee's Pat Summitt all-time, coached the team's two exhibition games. But this was her first appearance on the sideline for a game that counted since a loss at Delaware in the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament.