TAMPA, Fla., March 9 (UPI) -- Wayne Ellington led a balanced North Carolina attack Friday in the No. 8 Tar Heels' 73-58 ACC Tournament quarterfinal victory over the Florida State Seminoles.
North Carolina had four players in double figures, although team-leading-scorer Tyler Hansbrough wasn't among them. Hansbrough, using a protective mask, was playing his first game since breaking his nose during the Duke game and had six points.
Still, it was a solid victory for the Tar Heels (26-6) as they stretched a 10-point halftime advantage to a 48-28 bulge with a 12-2 run to open the second half. Florida State (20-12) never recovered and was left, at best, a bubble team hoping for an NCAA Tournament bid.
Ellington finished with 18 points and Ty Lawson chipped in 14, Brandan Wright 11 and Reyshawn Terry 10 in picking up the slack for Hanbrough.
Florida State was led by Al Thornton, who scored 12 points before fouling out with 6:48 to play. Toney Douglas and Jerel Allen each scored 10 points for the Seminoles.
