CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina's freshmen class shook off an uneasy stretch in the second half and helped defeat College of Charleston 79-60 before a crowd limited to a smattering of family and friends Wednesday at Dean E. Smith Center.
Guards Caleb Love and R.J. Davis started in the backcourt marking the first time that happened since the 2006-07 season when Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington teamed up for the Tar Heels. The duo didn't disappoint, as Love led the Heels with 17 points and four assists. Davis also reached double figures scoring with 11 points. They were interchangeable at both guard positions playing alongside each other, sometimes moving off the ball or playing the lead guard, depending on the lineup.
UNC coach Roy Williams used plenty of combinations, too, which could partially explain why the Heels squandered a 39-32 lead at halftime and allowed the Cougars to rally at the start of the second half. Charleston erased its deficit and took its first lead of the game 43-42 on a Dontavius King 3-pointer at the 15:20 mark.
The Heels made sure it was the Cougars' only lead. Davis answered with a three-point play and UNC reeled off a 19-3 run over the next six minutes to put the game out of reach.
In addition to Davis and Love, the much-anticipated debut of Day'Ron Sharpe showed he lived up to his billing. Sharpe was energetic off the bench, scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in just 22 minutes. He actually may have been a little too excited defensively as he also racked up three personal fouls before the first media timeout of the second half.
UNC senior forward Garrison Brooks only had six points but led the team with 11 rebounds.
