Caleb Wilson, No. 18 North Carolina overpower N.C. Central

Freshman Caleb Wilson turned in another sterling performance for No. 18 North Carolina with 21 points and 13 rebounds in a 97-53 trouncing of North Carolina Central on Friday in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Luka Bogavac posted 12 points and Henri Veesaar added 12 points and 11 rebounds as the Tar Heels (4-0) handled business in mostly workmanlike fashion. They also received 39 points from their reserves, led by Zayden High's 11 points along with nine apiece from Derek Dixon and Jonathan Powell.

Ramondo Battle II led N.C. Central (1-4), which lost to an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent for the third time this season, with 14 points off the bench. The Eagles were limited to 14 points in the first 15 minutes of the second half as the Tar Heels' lead swelled to 76-38.

N.C. Central's Gage Lattimore, who poured in 38 points two nights earlier against Bluefield State, was held to 12 points on 4-for-19 shooting from the field. All four of his baskets were 3-pointers.

Of the Eagles' 16 field goals, seven were from 3-point range.

North Carolina had a sizable advantage at the free-throw line, going 26-for-35 compared to N.C. Central's 14-for-20.

Wilson became the first North Carolina freshman with back-to-back double-doubles since Day'Ron Sharpe in 2020-21. Wilson turned in his latest impressive stat line in 29 minutes of action.

Dixon led the Tar Heels in long-range shooting with three 3-pointers, though seven North Carolina plays made at least one 3-pointer. Kyan Evans distributed seven assists.

The Tar Heels, playing their fourth consecutive home game, broke out to a 19-7 lead. However, with less than four minutes to play in the opening half, the Eagles had closed within 29-23.

Then North Carolina broke away for a 39-24 lead by the break, with Wilson accounting for 17 points and nine boards. The Tar Heels began the second half with a 10-2 spurt.