MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Italee Lucas scored 10 of her 19 points in North Carolina's 18-2 second-half run, and the second-ranked Tar Heels rallied past Illinois, 68-59, yesterday at the Carolinas Challenge.

Rashanda McCants added 20 points for North Carolina, which improved to 12-0 for the third time in four seasons.

But North Carolina coach Sylva Hatchell was not happy.

"This is not our typical team and I'm embarrassed that people saw us play like we did tonight," she said. "I'm going to go write out practice while this is fresh on my mind, because, trust me, there will be tons of intensity drills."

The first objective would be a crisper start. North Carolina had nearly as many turnovers (9) as field goals (10) and whiffed on its mostly open 3-pointers, going 1 of 11, in the opening 20 minutes.

"If they had some depth, they would've won," Hatchell said. "We really are a much better team than what we showed."

For a while, the Illini (4-7) looked ready to make it a visit to forget, leading 41-33 with less than 15 minutes to go.

That's when North Carolina took control.

Jessica Breland had two buckets and Lucas' 3-pointer tied the score at 41. Lucas added another basket and two foul shots before stroking the last of her three 3-pointers to put North Carolina ahead 51-43.

Illinois came as close as 63-59 on Chelsea Gordon's 3 with 1:23 to go, but got no closer.

Jenna Smith led the Illini with 20 points and nine rebounds.

NO. 8 DUKE 86, SIENA 41

LOS ANGELES — Kathleen Scheer had 14 points, Chante Black, Joy Cheek and Bridgette Mitchell each added 12 points, and the Blue Devils (9-1) led 39-24 at halftime and were never threatened in beating the Saints (2-8) in the Women of Troy Basketball Classic.

"It's been a busy week and extremely trying for our team, the effort in the games that we've had," Duke coach Joanne P. McCallie said. "Obviously Stanford, the travel to California, the turnaround time.

NO. 7 BAYLOR 81, OREGON 71

EUGENE, Ore. — Jessica Morrow scored 21 points, Danielle Wilson added 15 points and 11 rebounds, and the Lady Bears (11-1), who trailed 39-36 at intermission, used a 15-2 run for 67-56 lead they never lost in beating the Ducks (3-6).

Taylor Lilley had 20 points for the Ducks, who led by as many as 12 in the first half.

NO. 13 NOTRE DAME 89, LOYOLA OF CHICAGO 45

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Melissa Lechlitner, Lindsay Schrader and Natalie Novosel scored 13 points each, and the Irish (9-1) used an early 29-7 run to take control en route to a 47-21 halftime lead in romping past the Ramblers (5-4), who fell to 0-19 all-time against ranked opponents.

NO. 22 OKLAHOMA ST. 88, UNLV 73

LAS VEGAS — Andrea Riley had 22 points and 10 assists, and Cowgirls (7-7) used a 15-0 run for a 64-52 advantage with 12:39 left to play en route to beating the Lady Rebels (5-5), who got 27 points from freshman Jamie Smith, an 'Iolani alum.

NO. 23 KANSAS STATE 58, INDIANA STATE 43

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Marlies Gipson scored 15 points and blocked six shots, Shalee Lehning added 14 points and the Wildcats (10-0) beat the Sycamores (3-7) for coach Deb Patterson's 250th career victory.

NO. 25 GEORGIA TECH 63, TEXAS-ARLINGTON 56

NASSAU, Bahamas — Jacqua Williams scored 16 of her career-high 20 points in the second half, including seven during a 9-2 run for a 44-35 lead with 9:54 left, as the Yellow Jackets (19-2) held off the Mavericks (4-6) in the championship game of the Bahamas Sunsplash Shootout.

HAWAI'I DIVISION II

ST. MARTIN'S (WASH.) 81, HAWAI'I-HILO 76

KEA'AU, Hawai'i — Jamey Gelhar made all 12 of her free throws and finished with 17 points to lead three teammates in double figures as the Saints (8-2) beat the Vulcans (4-2) in overtime.

Ashley Kualii scored 21 points, Eileen Pineda added 17 and Sheila Azevedo 13 for UHH, which led 32-28 at halftime. The score was tied at 66 at the end of regulation.