
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 24, 1991                   TAG: 9102240166
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHAPEL HILL, N.C.                                LENGTH: Short

HEELS DOWN TIGERS FOR WIN NO. 1,500

To get its historic 1,500th victory, No. 6 North Carolina relied on a time-tested defense and some timely shots from Hubert Davis.

Davis scored 13 points, including North Carolina's first nine of the second half, as the Tar Heels beat Clemson 73-57 in an ACC basketball game Saturday.

Carolina became the first team in NCAA history to post 1,500 victories. Kentucky had 1,499 all-time victories after Saturday's win against Florida.

North Carolina (21-4 overall, 9-3 ACC) went to 1,500-548 despite shooting below 50 percent (25-of-51) for the first time in seven games. The Tar Heels' defense held Clemson (10-14, 1-10) below 39 percent (22-of-57).

"I should say thank goodness for our defense, period," North Carolina coach Dean Smith said.

North Carolina led 31-22 at halftime, then Davis made three jumpers and a 3-point shot to put the Tar Heels up 40-24 with 17:55 left.

"Of course, we needed Hubert's shooting," said Smith, whose team shot 41 percent in the first half and finished at 49. "King [Rice, point guard] was calling his number and he did a great job."

The Tar Heels then began forcing the ball inside, giving up turnovers and letting Clemson crawl to nine points behind when Dale Davis made two free throws with 9:45 to go.

by CNB