Forward Brice Johnson scored 17 of his career-high 25 points in the first half as No. 11 North Carolina cruised to a 96-72 victory over Tulane on Wednesday night at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Johnson reached his career high with about eight minutes left, helping North Carolina bounce back from a buzzer-beating loss four days earlier at Texas.

The Tar Heels (8-2) played their first game without forward Kennedy Meeks, who two days earlier the school announced would miss at least a couple of weeks to allow recovery from a knee ailment. He averaged 13.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Center Joel James started in his place.

Guard Marcus Paige's 16 points, forward Justin Jackson's 13 points and guard Joel Berry's 12 points and nine assists boosted North Carolina.

Forward Isaiah Hicks scored 11 points off the bench for the Tar Heels, with eight points coming during a spurt early in the game. Reserve guard Theo Pinson had 10 points.

Guard Louis Dabney scored 18 points for Tulane (6-5). Guard Malik Morgan added 12 points and forwards Dylan Osetkowski and Jernard Jarreau both had 10

North Carolina grabbed an 18-8 edge by the first media timeout.

The Tar Heels led 50-31 at halftime despite Dabney hitting a 3-pointer from near midcourt at the buzzer.

Tulane closed within 61-48 before a turnover detailed a chance to make it closer with 12 minutes left. Less than five minutes later, it was 75-55. When North Carolina completed a 15-0 run, it was 85-55.

The Tar Heels shot 51.4 percent from the field in the first half to extend their mark of 50 percent or better to eight consecutive halves. A 48.6 percent rate in the second half ended the streak.