No. 19 North Carolina 97, McNeese State 63: P.J. Hairston scored a career-high 20 points as the Tar Heels cruised to an easy win over the visiting Cowboys.

North Carolina (9-3) held McNeese State to just six points in the first 9:50 of the opening half, building a 16-point lead that was never threatened. After Craig McFerrin scored a layup with 7:32 to bring McNeese State within 29-12, the Tar Heels went on a 25-11 tear to increase the lead to 31 at halftime.

Reggie Bullock added 17 points for North Carolina, including five 3-pointers, as the Tar Heels shot 46.4 percent (13-of-28) from beyond the arc. James Michael McAdoo had 12 points and seven rebounds, while Leslie McDonald chipped in 11 points.

Jeremie Mitchell paced McNeese State (6-4) with 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting. McFerrin finished with 10 points.

The Tar Heels, who came into the game ranked third in the nation averaging 44.7 rebounds, finished with a 52-36 advantage against the Cowboys.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The 34-point margin of defeat was easily the worst of the year for the Cowboys. … The win improved North Carolina to 6-0 at home this season. The Tar Heels are 3-3 away from the Smith Center. … McNeese State won't play against until 2013, with a trip to Northwestern State the team's next scheduled game on Jan. 3. UNC is off for a week before hosting UNLV on Dec. 29.