No. 16 North Carolina 78, East Tennessee State 55: Leslie McDonald led a balanced offense with 14 points as the Tar Heels took a big early lead and cruised past the visiting Buccaneers.

Freshman Brice Johnson chipped in with 12 points and eight rebounds, while Reggie Bullock added 10 points for North Carolina (7-2), which had 30 assists on 31 field goals. The Tar Heels held East Tennessee to 12 points in the opening 20 minutes, the fewest for a half ever at the Dean Smith Center.

Hunter Harris scored the first two points of the game for East Tennessee State (2-5) before the Tar Heels ran off the next 15. Bullock had the first seven in the run and North Carolina kept going to open up a 34-4 lead as the Buccaneers missed 17 of their first 19 shots.

Johnson and McDonald each had eight points in the first half as the Tar Heels settled for a 42-12 lead at the break. North Carolina forced 13 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes and the Buccaneers, who finished with a season low in points for a half, were 5-of-26 from the field.

Rashawn Rembert led the way with 18 points -- all in the second half -- for East Tennessee State. Leading scorer Lester Wilson registered 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Harris had 11 points for the Buccaneers.

GAME NOTEBOOK: East Tennessee State was without freshman PG Petey McClain for the second straight game due to an ankle injury. McClain is averaging 3.6 assists. … Tar Heels freshman PG Marcus Paige returned after missing one game with a shoulder injury, contributing three points and seven assists. … North Carolina has won all six meetings with the Buccaneers.