BY JOE JOHNSON

jjohnson@heraldsun.com

CHAPEL HILL -- North Carolina's 89-44 victory over Kennesaw State on Tuesday was a lot like the reveal on a home improvement show. Once the Tar Heels got over the "wow factor" of newly renovated Carmichael Auditorium, they easily routed the visiting Owls.

The game started out disjointed with both teams missing easy shots and turning the ball over until it was 6-6. But from that point, No. 7 UNC went on a 13-0 run to take control and win going away.

"It's not a finished product," UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell said of the Carmichael renovations.

But that easily could have applied to her team, as well. Hatchell was able to play 13 players, experimenting with various lineups in different game situations.

Hatchell said she played so many players because she wanted them to show her what they have so they can contribute later in the season when the competition is tougher.

The decision to play Kennesaw State (4-7) at Carmichael was made last week. It served two purposes, according to Hatchell.

First, it allowed any kinks to be worked out in the facility management before the Tar Heels begin ACC play and expect bigger crowds. Second, it allowed UNC's players to get used to playing in the arena again.

UNC plays its next three games at home, including its ACC opener against Georgia Tech on Jan. 6.

Junior guard Italee Lucas, who led the Tar Heels with 16 points, said she was an immediate fan of all the changes.

"Playing brought back a lot of memories," said Lucas, who played in Carmichael as a freshman. "We just came back from a long break. We just have to get our feel and flow back."

Waltiea Rolle also had a strong game for the Tar Heels, which Hatchell singled out during her postgame news conference. Rolle finished with 13, going 5-of-5 from the floor and 3-of-3 from the line, and grabbed seven rebounds.

"Waltiea Rolle continues to get better," Hatchell said.

Trinity Bursey chipped in a career-high 11 points and pulled down five rebounds for the Tar Heels.

Hatchell gave her team their first look at the new Carmichael on Sunday night with a tour before practice. Along with the new seating arrangement, a new scoreboard with four full-motion video screens, Hatchell and her assistants have new offices and the Tar Heels' locker room has been upgraded.

Lucas said the improvements will help with recruiting, though the Tar Heels have been one of the better recruiting teams in recent years.

"If I was being recruited, I would have said `Yes' right away," Lucas said.

The Tar Heels dominated the boards 60-28 and forced Kennsaw State into 31 turnovers, which resulted in 25 UNC points.

Kennesaw State coach Colby Tilley, who grew up in Pittsboro, was resolute about his team's game against the Tar Heels. He said his players entered the contest with no illusions of an upset but looked forward to playing tough competition that would prepare them conference play.

"Our kids love to play these games, and we do it for the experience," Tilley said. "We know what it means to play these games. It gives us a chance to play a top team.

"We know there is a big gap in Division I. [UNC] has so much more talent, so much more height. When she goes to her bench, there's not much dropoff."