COLUMBUS, OHIO—Top-seeded North Carolina overcame a slow start and beat No. 16 seed Iona, 88-73, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional on Friday night at Nationwide Arena.
Cameron Johnson led Carolina with 21 points and Nassir Little added 19. Luke Maye had 16 points and nine rebounds, and Garrison Brooks added 10 points and eight boards.
Carolina (28-6) advances to Sunday's second round to face Washington for the right to advance to next weekend's regional semifinal in Kansas City.
UNC head coach Roy Williams improved to 29-0 in NCAA first-round games, the best record in opening round play in NCAA history.