**North Carolina Secures Victory Against Hawaii in Honolulu**

HONOLULU - North Carolina traveled over 4,700 miles to clinch their first win off the mainland this season by securing an 87-69 victory over Hawaii at Simplifi Arena. This triumph adds to UNC's impressive 17-1 all-time record in Honolulu and maintains their unblemished 6-0 streak against Hawaii.

The Tar Heels dominated the pace of Friday night's game, which extended into early Saturday on the East Coast, by outperforming the Rainbow Warriors 19-1 in fast break points. North Carolina launched a decisive 19-4 run early in the second half, attaining a 20-point lead by the 13:53 mark. Their defensive strategy, focusing on forcing turnovers and transitioning into offensive plays, paid off significantly, resulting in 17 points off turnovers.

RJ Davis emerged as the leading scorer with 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting, finding his groove in the first half. Elliot Cadeau followed with an impressive 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting, while Seth Trimble contributed 13 points. All three starting guards also recorded four assists each.

UNC head coach Hubert Davis praised the team's guard play, highlighting their ability to compete defensively and attack the basket with ease. "We've got good guards that can get to the rim anytime they want and put a lot of pressure on the defense," Davis commented. He also noted that defensive efforts, particularly in securing steals and deflections, were crucial in the second half.

Despite being outrebounded 40-27 by Hawaii, North Carolina responded robustly in the second half, limiting Hawaii's second-chance points to just two, compared to twelve in the first half. Coach Davis attributed the first-half rebounding struggles to Hawaii's size and aggression but commended his players for stepping up in the second half.

At one point, Hawaii managed to reduce the lead to six, but the Tar Heels quickly regained control. Davis recognized the strong challenge posed by Hawaii, mentioning their undefeated home record and effective rebounding. The contributions of Elliot Cadeau were also highlighted, especially his ability to finish drives against bigger players and maintain control.

Davis acknowledged that it was tough to bench Cadeau after he picked up an early foul, but the presence of multiple playmakers on the team allowed for effective rotations until Cadeau returned. Speaking on Hawaii’s defensive strategy, Davis remarked that UNC was well-prepared for their rare zone defense, which ultimately yielded good scoring opportunities once they adjusted their tactics.

Praising the team's collective performance, Davis emphasized the effective interplay between RJ Davis, Seth Trimble, and Elliot Cadeau. He stated, "They complement each other well, and when they’re on the floor together, it just works."

Looking ahead, Davis stressed the importance of maintaining focus on rebounding, recognizing it as a key determinant in their game outcomes. As UNC prepares for upcoming challenges, this win in Honolulu sets a promising tone for the Tar Heels’ season.