CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Interstat) — Henri Veesaar scored 18 points and North Carolina used a dominant first half to pull away from Radford, securing an 89-74 victory in a non-conference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at a packed Dean Smith Center.

A crowd of 16,613 watched the Tar Heels improve to 3-0, while the Highlanders fell to 2-1.

North Carolina established control early, building a 44-31 halftime lead behind efficient offense and a significant advantage at the free-throw line. The Tar Heels attempted 49 free throws, making 31, compared to Radford’s 31 attempts and 19 makes. That 12-point disparity from the charity stripe proved to be a decisive factor in the final margin.

While the Highlanders fought back in the second half, outscoring North Carolina 43-45, they were unable to overcome the initial deficit. The Tar Heels’ offensive execution proved superior, scoring 89 points on 86 possessions for an offensive rating of 103.2. Radford, by contrast, managed 74 points on 87 possessions, an offensive rating of 85.3.

Veesaar, a 7-foot sophomore from Tallinn, Estonia, was a force inside for North Carolina. He was complemented by strong performances from Luka Bogavac of Mojkovac, Montenegro, who had 19 points and five assists, and Chapel Hill native Jarin Stevenson, who added 15 points.

Radford was led by the scoring duo of Dennis Parker and Del Jones. Parker, from Richmond, Va., poured in 23 points, while Jones, of Landover, Md., contributed 22.

Both teams struggled from the field, with North Carolina shooting 25 for 65 and Radford shooting 24 for 70. Three-point shooting was also a challenge, as the Tar Heels made 8 of 31 attempts and the Highlanders connected on 7 of 30.

The game was statistically even in several categories, with each team recording seven assists, seven steals and 11 turnovers. North Carolina held a slight edge in rebounding, particularly on the offensive glass with 13 boards to Radford’s nine.

North Carolina, which entered the game as a heavy favorite according to betting lines, has now won its first three games by an average of 22 points. The Tar Heels are scheduled to host North Carolina Central on Friday. Radford will travel to a neutral site in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., to face Wright State on Saturday.