CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) Ivory Latta broke out a shooting slump to score 19 points, and La'Tangela Atkinson added 12 points and 12 rebounds to help No. 8 North Carolina beat Virginia Tech 93-67 Friday night.<br>
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Reserve LaToya Pringle had 16 points for the Tar Heels (20-3, 8-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), who cruised to their sixth victory in a row with an inspired effort in the second half. They forced turnovers on Virginia Tech's first three possessions after the break and opened with a 14-2 run, helped by three opportunities for three-point plays.<br>
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The Hokies (14-8, 3-6) struggled just to get shots. They turned it over seven times in the first 5 minutes of the second half and finished with 24 overall including seven by center Erin Gibson. Since reaching No. 23 in The Associated Press' poll on Jan. 17, Virginia Tech is 3-5.<br>
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Kerri Garden and Dawn Chriss led the Hokies with 14 points apiece.<br>
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The Tar Heels started their winning streak by snapping a 12-game losing streak to Duke, and this victory helped them move within a half-game of the first-place Blue Devils in the ACC. A pair of Duke players got to see this one firsthand. Guards Monique Currie and Wanisha Smith joined the crowd on the Virginia Tech side of the court.<br>
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They probably didn't enjoy watching Latta. In her previous six games, she shot only 20 percent (9-of-45) on 3-pointers, even while her team found its groove. She was 4-of-7 behind the arc against Virginia Tech to lead five players in double figures.<br>
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Atkinson also had seven assists coming up short of the first triple-double in North Carolina history and Nikita Bell finished with 14 points, five assists and seven steals. The Tar Heels shot 54 percent, outrebounded the Hokies 46-28 and finished with 25 assists on 38 baskets.<br>
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Gibson and Carrie Mason scored 12 points each for Virginia Tech.
