Tar Heels whip Jackets 77-61: North Carolina improves to 4-1 in ACC; Georgia Tech loses its 15th consecutive road game.

Byline: Bill Cole

Jan. 21--CHAPEL HILL

North Carolina was forced to grind once again last night when it wanted to run, but struck inside for easy baskets after halftime and belted Georgia Tech in the Smith Center for a milestone victory.

North Carolina took a 77-61 decision for its 1,900th win all-time. North Carolina joined Kentucky as the only major-college programs to reach 1,900 wins.

The Tar Heels battled to a 34-23 halftime lead and sealed the win starting midway through the second half. The Yellow Jackets whittled a 16-point lead down to 46-36 with 13:21 left, but got no closer because the Tar Heels kept getting point-blank shots.

Ten of the Tar Heels' first 12 baskets after halftime were dunks or layups. The inside shots helped …