UNC pulls away for dominant 97-57 win over Chattanooga

CHAPEL HILL

By the time North Carolina's 97-57 victory against Chattanooga came to an end on Sunday, it was difficult to remember the early struggle for the Tar Heels – the turnovers and the shooting difficulties, the sloppiness, the fact that, for a while, the result seemed somewhat in doubt.

The Mocs, who last season were an NCAA tournament No. 12 seed that won 29 games, played with little fear of the Tar Heels, little awe of the Smith Center and all those banners hanging high. Chattanooga led during most of the first 13 minutes, and led 26-23 with about eight minutes remaining before halftime.

From there, though, UNC (2-0) treated the Mocs (1-1) less like the kind of team it might encounter…