North Carolina slips by Nicholls St.

Tyler Hansbrough scored 27 points and showed no ill effects from a weekend concussion to help No. 1 North Carolina beat Nicholls State 88-78 on Wednesday night.

Wayne Ellington added 20 points for the Tar Heels (10-0), who played at home for the first time in a month after six straight games away from the Smith Center. But North Carolina looked lethargic against the determined Colonels (4-8), who hung around and never let the Tar Heels run away with it -- but never seriously threatened, either.

Ryan Bathie scored 17 points to lead the Colonels, who shot 14-for-28 from 3-point range to hang around the whole way.