No. 15 UNC sneaks past Va. Tech, moves to 3-0 in ACC

Updated: Jan 6, 2013, 10:05 pm

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Xylina McDaniel and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt scored 14 points each as No. 15 North Carolina beat Virginia Tech 48-45 on Sunday to remain undefeated in Atlantic Coast Conference play.

The 48 points marked a season low for the Tar Heels (15-1, 3-0), while their 22 first-half points were one more than their season low for points in a half (21 vs. North Carolina Central on Dec. 12).

North Carolina was 7-of-25 shooting (28 percent) in the first half and made just 2-of-13 3-point attempts for the game.

The 3-0 ACC start is the Tar Heels' best since 2009.

The teams were tied 22-all at halftime. North Carolina went ahead for good at 28-26 on McDaniel's jumper with 17:06 left. The basket sparked an 8-2 run, and the Hokies never pulled closer than two points after that.

Uju Ugoka led Virginia Tech (7-7, 1-2) with 15 points.