SAN DIEGO, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Freshman Harrison Barnes helped top-ranked North Carolina overcome a slow start Friday and defeat Michigan State 67-55 in a game played on an aircraft carrier.
In honor of Veterans Day, the contest took place in a 7,000-seat facility built on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson at San Diego.
There was an invitation-only audience on hand, made up mostly of service personnel. President Barack Obama was in attendance and visited with both teams prior to the contest.
Although condensation built up on the court, causing players to slip occasionally, the outdoor game went off without any major problems. Both teams wore camouflage uniforms in school colors.
Barnes scored 17 points, but the Tar Heels found themselves trailing by two points with 7:38 remaining in the first half. North Carolina then went on a 19-6 run to close the period and owned a 36-25 lead at halftime.
John Henson chipped in 12 points and Dexter Strickland had 10 for the Tar Heels.
Draymond Green scored 13 points with 15 rebounds for Michigan State, which shot just 30 percent from the floor.
