Cole Anthony scored 28 points and No. 6 North Carolina used a strong second half to repel visiting Gardner-Webb 77-61 on Friday night at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.

The Tar Heels (3-0) scored the first 11 points of the second half after leading by just three points at the break.

Anthony, a freshman point guard, has hit for at least 20 points in each of his three college games. He made 11 of 13 foul shots Friday night to help offset 7-for-17 shooting from the field.

Armando Bacot provided 12 points and 11 rebounds in securing his first collegiate double-double for North Carolina, which held a 44-23 rebounding advantage. The Tar Heels committed 16 turnovers.

Jose Perez scored 12 points, while Nate Johnson and reserve Justin Jenkins had 11 points apiece for Gardner-Webb (0-3).

The Runnin' Bulldogs missed 36 shots from the field and pulled in only five offensive rebounds. Gardner-Webb was 5-for-23 from 3-point range.

North Carolina's 14-point lead shrunk to 48-44 with 11:13 remaining before Andrew Platek answered with a 3-pointer for the Tar Heels.

Gardner-Webb made its second-half charge after Anthony went to the bench with three fouls. Shortly after returning, Anthony sank a 3-pointer and he connected on another long-range shot a few minutes later.

Then with less than four minutes to play, Anthony had eight consecutive North Carolina points as the Tar Heels rebuilt a double-figure margin.

Platek and Christian Keeling both posted nine points for the Tar Heels.

North Carolina, which hadn't played in a week, led 30-27 at halftime despite shooting 1-for-10 on 3-pointers. The Tar Heels were 5-for-8 on 3s in the second half.

The Tar Heels received a total of 20 points from its reserves.

North Carolina has won each of the five all-time meetings with Gardner-Webb.

--Field Level Media