In what hopes to be a turnaround season after missing the NCAA Tournament last year, No. 9 North Carolina used a dominating performance by its frontcourt to beat Lipscomb 80-66 in the season opener for both schools.

Freshman Harrison Barnes, along with sophomore John Henson and junior Tyler Zeller, combined for 41 points, 29 rebounds, and nine blocked shots as the Tar Heels (1-0) started the second half with a 7-1 run to extend a 43-35 halftime lead to 50-36.

Barnes, a 6-7 forward who was voted to the pre-season All-America team, scored a team-high 16 points to go along with five rebounds, while Henson, a 6-10 sophomore, flirted with a triple double as he tallied 10 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, and had seven blocked shots. Zeller, a 7-0 junior, added 15 points and 8 boards.

North Carolina shot 48 percent from the field, but struggled from the free throw line, hitting just 16 of 29 for 55 percent. Lipscomb (0-1), which cut North Carolina’s lead to three with 8:53 remaining, was led by Josh Slater who had a game-high 21 points.