Hoosiers up to challenge

Chapel Hill, N.C. -- Coming into Wednesday nights game at the Dean E. Smith Center, the story of the season for these two teams were three pointers. For North Carolina, it was a season of poor three point shooting, making merely 22.2 percent. The Hoosiers first four games resulted in a 45.6 perccent shooting percentage from beyond the arc. This game was no different, as the Hoosiers used the three pointer to their advantage to win 79-66 in this ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup. \nOverall, the Hoosiers made 9 of 26 three pointers in the game, compared to 5 of 16 for the Tar Heels. Leading the way for the Hoosiers from three point land were sophomore guard A.J. Moye, who made four of seven, and junior guard Tom Coverdale, who made three of seven. Junior forward Will Johnson led the Tar Heels by making all three of his attempts from long range. Senior forward Jason Capel missed all seven of his attempts from long distance.\n"I had no idea Moye was going to make all those three point shots. He hit some big, big shots," IU head coach Mike Davis said. "Coverdale came in and played well also."\nMoye came up huge for the Hoosiers in this game, establishing a new career high 20 points in his young Hoosier career. Over half of these points came from long range.\n"The more I get comfortable starting, the better I'll play. Plus, I've always played well here (Smith Center), I've been playing here since I was 15," Moye said.\nNorth Carolina head coach Matt Doherty said Moye's play was the key to the game. \n"I wanted Moye to prove he could make shots and he did. He made some big, big shots tonight, he's a good kid," Doherty said. \nFor as hot as the Hoosiers were from the three point line in the first half, they were just as cold in the second half. The Hoosiers made nine of 17 from behind the arc in the first 20 minutes, compared to 0 of 9 in the latter part of the game. Still, IU came away from the game shooting a total of 34.6 percent from behind the arc. When asked about his team's three point shooting in the second half, Davis replied, "Moye took a bad one, but overall they (North Carolina) really extended their defense man to man. I told our guys to drive to the basket and try and get some fouls instead."\nThe Tar Heels made only two three pointers in the first half, but one of them turned into a four point play. Freshman guard Jackie Manuel put up a three pointer and was fouled late on the play by Coverdale. Manuel sank the three as well as the free throw to cut the Hoosier lead to 23-20, but Moye made two three pointers and Coverdale made three to help IU boost their lead back up to eight at halftime.\n"I'm glad to get the win," Moye replied when asked about establishing a new career high. "But if I keep starting I'll probably surpass this"