Wes Washpun led the Panthers’ balanced scoring attack with 21 points and eight assists. Matt Bohannon added 19 points and Paul Jesperson scored 14.
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The Tar Heels (3-1) led 41-32 at halftime, but struggled to score in the second half. Northern Iowa outscored North Carolina 39-26 in the second half, feeding off their fans’ raucous support.
Sophomore forward Justin Jackson led North Carolina with a game-high 25 points on 9 of 15 shooting. Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks added 10 points apiece.
