PISCATAWAY, N.J., Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Ty Lawson scored a career-high 26 points Sunday to help top-ranked North Carolina trounce Rutgers 93-71.
UNC eliminated any chances for suspense by bolting to a 47-26 halftime lead, an advantage which stayed in double figures from the 6:52 mark of the first half when Lawson buried a three-point jumper.
All-America forward Tyler Hansbrough had 20 points and 11 rebounds before he was injured.
With 5:47 left, he landed hard on his backside, and slammed his head into the knee of a cameraman -- and then into the base of the basket -- while defending on a drive by Rutgers guard Earl Pettis.
Hansbrough managed to walk off the court under is own power.
Wayne Ellington scored 13 points and Danny Green added 12 for the Tar Heels (9-0), who are off to their best start since the 1997-98 season, which started with 17 straight wins.
Rutgers was led by Corey Chandler's 23 points and eight rebounds.
Anthony Farmer scored 17 points, while leading scorer J.R. Inman was limited to 10 points for the Scarlet Knights (7-4), who have dropped two of three.
