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(Sports Network) - Deon Thompson poured in 20 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, as sixth-ranked North Carolina opened defense of its national championship with an 88-72 victory over Florida International in Isiah Thomas' head coaching debut with the Golden Panthers. Coming off its second national championship in five years, a win over Michigan State in the title game, the Tar Heels received a balanced effort for coach Roy Williams in the centennial season of the program. Ed Davis had 13 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in the game, which is part of the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Marcus Ginyard and Tyler Zeller each chipped in 12 points for the Tar Heels (1-0), who started the season with a fairly new cast of characters, as Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green are gone from last year's title team. Marvin Roberts paced FIU (0-1) with 18 points. Antoine Watson added 16 points and six assists, while Tremayne Russell tallied 10 points and four steals.
Final Score: (13) California 75, Murray State 70
Berkeley, CA (Sports Network) - Jerome Randle scored 18 points and 13th-ranked California opened its season by holding off Murray State, 75-70, as part of the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Haas Pavilion. Theo Robertson added 14 points, Patrick Christopher 13 and Jamal Boykin 12 for the Golden Bears (1-0), who saw a double-digit lead dwindle in the late going. Ivan Aska had 17 points for Murray State (0-1), which went 19-12 last season. B.J. Jenkins tallied 16 points and Danero Thomas 12 for the Racers.
Final Score: (16) Ohio State 100, Alcorn State 60
Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Evan Turner had a triple-double with 14 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists to help 16th-ranked Ohio State roll to a 100-60 season-opening win over Alcorn State in the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Jon Diebler had 22 points, William Buford had 19 points and Jeremie Simmons added 12 off the bench for the Buckeyes (1-0), who finished last season with a mark of 22-11. The only other triple-double by an Ohio State player was on December 6, 1986 by Dennis Hopson against Ohio University. Jonathan Boyd had 20 points while Tony Eackles tallied 14 points for the Braves (0-1), who lost 25 games last season.
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