Last-second OT shot saves N. Carolina

CLEMSON, S.C. -- No. 1 North Carolina passed its first true test -- barely.

Wayne Ellington's 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left in overtime lifted the top-ranked Tar Heels to a 90-88 victory over 19th-ranked Clemson on Sunday night.

After weeks of routing nonconference competition -- they had won their previous four games by an average of 33 points -- North Carolina (15-0) found itself locked in a classic to start the Atlantic Coast Conference season and came out on top.

"It shows our maturity, it shows we can stick it out and get the win when we have to," Ellington said.

Ellington was the main reason that the Tar Heels managed to do that as he scored a career-high 36 points.

None were bigger than his final 3-pointer from the left side of the key after taking a pass from Ty Lawson on North Carolina's final possession.

"It felt really good," Ellington said. Defender James Mays was "flying at me and I knew if it had chance to get there it was going to go in," Ellington said.

Only moments earlier, Clemson freshman Demontez Stitt had hit two foul shots with 13.9 seconds to go that put the Tigers ahead, 88-87.

Tiger coach Oliver Purnell was pleased with Clemson's defense on All-American Tyler Hansbrough, held to just 12 points, 10 fewer than his average. Hansbrough did lead North Carolina with 14 rebounds.

"If you told me we're going to that job on Hansbrough, I'd feel pretty good," Purnell said.

K.C. Rivers led Clemson (12-2) with 24 points, but failed to score in overtime. Trevor Booker added 14 points and 11 rebounds.