Tar Heels blast Billikens in Hansbrough's homecoming

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

12/23/2006 - St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tyler Hansbrough had a game-high 15 points to go along with 13 rebounds in his Missouri homecoming, as the second-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels bested the Saint Louis Billikens, 69-48.

Hansbrough, a Poplar Bluff native, shot 6-of-13 from the field for the Tar Heels (10-1), who have won seven in a row since their lone defeat of the season, a loss to Gonzaga on November 22.

Danny Green added 14 points and six rebounds while Brandan Wright and Ty Lawson each had 12 points in the win.

Ian Vouyoukas had 14 points and 13 boards for the Billikens (9-3), who had their four-game winning streak ended. Tommie Liddell had 13 points in the loss.

Saint Louis was in control early behind the strength of an 8-2 run in the first half. Tied at 16, the Billikens hit back-to-back jumpers to go up four. Lawson then converted a layup for the Tar Heels before a layup, and later two free throws, by Vouyoukas put Saint Louis on top 24-18 with 5:21 left.

North Carolina responded with two straight hoops and Wayne Ellington brought the Tar Heels within one after going 1-of-2 from the line with 3:11 to go.

The Tar Heels went into the break on top after Wright was fouled as he dropped in a layup and hit the resulting free throw to make it 27-26. Neither team hit a basket for the remaining 1 1/2 minutes of the half.

North Carolina finally began to pull away midway through the second half.

Hansbrough followed a Green three-pointer with a layup to cap a 7-0 run that gave the Tar Heels a 41-32 edge with 14:09 to go in the game.

Saint Louis countered with four straight, but the Tar Heels ripped off 11 in a row to take control. Lawson started the burst with a three and Reyshawn Terry brought it to a close with back-to-back buckets, staking North Carolina to a 52-36 edge with 9:17 remaining.

A 6-0 run by the Billikens pulled them within 11 at 57-46, but the Tar Heels later dashed all comeback thoughts as they netted the game's last nine points to account for the final score.

Game Notes

North Carolina won't take the court for another six days as it travels to St. Louis on December 28. It will be the Tar Heels' first road game since November 24...The Tar Heels lead the all-time series against St. Louis 3-1...Terry ended with six points...Luke Meyer and Kevin Lisch each had six points in defeat.

Wwwoasiscasino NCAA Basketball Betting News

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