No. 8 North Carolina shakes off slow start to down Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA – For the first 20 minutes, some of the lapses point drubbing at Florida State appeared once again.

Then North Carolina turned up the defensive intensity and provided a glimpse of its potential.

Harrison Barnes scored 27 points, while John Henson and Tyler Zeller added double-doubles as eighth-ranked North Carolina used a big second half to overwhelm Virginia Tech, 82-68, at Cassell Coliseum.

Henson posted 16 points with 16 rebounds and six blocks, Zeller recorded 14 points and 11 rebounds and Kendall Marshall filled the stat sheet with nine points, eight assists and four rebounds for the Tar Heels (16-3, 3-1 ACC), who were coming off the worst loss of the Roy Williams era last Saturday.

In the first half, North Carolina again didn't get its hands up on shooters and looked complacent at times, falling behind 39-34, but the second half was much different. A 19-0 burst was the signature of a 48-point onslaught triggered by a big defensive effort.

Erick Green led Virginia Tech (11-7, 0-4) with 17 points, Dorenzo Hudson came off the bench to score 16 points and Jarell Eddie added 15 for the Hokies, who have dropped four straight.