EAST LANSING, Mich., Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Back-to-back baskets by J.P. Tokoto Wednesday fueled a second-half surge that launched North Carolina to a 79-65 upset of No. 1 Michigan State.
The hard-to-figure Tar Heels have wins this season over powerhouses Louisville and Michigan State, but have also loss to Belmont and Alabama-Birmingham.
North Carolina began to pull away thanks to the field goals from Tokoto after Michigan State had climbed within two points with 10:43 to play.
Five North Carolina players scored in double figures with Kennedy Meeks producing 15 points and Tokoto 12. The Tar Heels (5-2) never trailed.
Michigan State (7-1) was led by Gary Harris with 17 points and Adreian Payne with 16. North Carolina has won each of its last seven meetings with the Spartans.
The evening's action began with 19 teams still unbeaten in major college basketball and five of those teams played Wednesday. Michigan State was the only one to suffer a loss. Villanova, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Toledo all kept their perfect seasons going.
