Tar Heels win in final tuneup for ACC play

Brice Johnson had 16 points and 16 rebounds to help No. 7 North Carolina roll past North Carolina Greensboro, 96-63, on Monday night in the Tar Heels’ final nonconference game.

Marcus Paige added 14 points for UNC (11-2), which had a double-digit lead midway through the first half at Chapel Hill, N.C., and led by 19 by halftime — though it had some trouble putting the game out of reach against the Spartans (4-8). UNC didn’t land a finishing blow until a 9-0 burst in the final eight minutes .

The Tar Heels had plenty of balance with six players in double figures, helping them shoot 55% while dominating the boards. Francis Alonso scored 11 of his 17 points after halftime to help Greensboro hang around.

UNC opens Atlantic Coast Conference play Wednesday against Clemson.

at No. 9 Butler 92, IUPUI 54 — Kelan Martin scored 19 points and Roosevelt Jones had 17 points and five steals as the Bulldogs (11-1) routed crosstown rival Indiana Purdue of Indianapolis (411). Butler never trailed but struggled to take control until a 13-2 run late in the first half extended the lead to 19 points.

at No. 21 Utah 115, College of Idaho 74: Dakarai Tucker and Kyle Kuzma both scored 17 points to help the Utes (11-2) survive an early scare and defeat their NAIA opponent. The Coyotes (7-7) raced to a 16-2 lead on the strength of four three-pointers and defensive pressure that forced three early turnovers. Utah took its first lead at 24-21 with 10:47 left in the first half.

Connecticut women defeat Maryland

Breanna Stewart scored 23 points and Moriah Jefferson added 17 to help No. 1 Connecticut (10-0) beat sixth-ranked Maryland, 8373, at New York in the Maggie Dixon Classic.

The Huskies won their 47th straight game.

Maryland (11-1) rallied to within four points, hitting four three-pointers — the last by Tierney Pfirman with 1:10 left — to make it 75-71.

Saniya Chong responded with a three-pointer that restored the seven-point lead.