By Bret Strelow
bstrelow@salisburypost.com
GREENSBORO ó Ty Lawson evolved into the ACC player of the year, but he’s never stopped acting like one particular cartoon character.
He put both identities on display while leading top-seeded North Carolina to an 84-70 victory against eighth-seeded LSU in the second round of the NCAA tournament Saturday at Greensboro Coliseum.
Lawson, who had missed three consecutive games with a jammed right big toe, limped and grimaced his way through a 23-point performance. He scored 21 second-half points and handed out six assists without committing a turnover.
“I kidded the little fella and called him ‘Dennis the Menace,’ and that’s exactly who he is,” UNC coach Roy Williams said. “But I’ve never seen ‘Dennis the Menace’ as tough as I saw him today.”
Wayne Ellington also had 23 points and Tyler Hansbrough added 15 as UNC (30-4) advanced to a Sweet 16 matchup with Gonzaga (28-5). Their South Regional semifinal is scheduled for Friday in Memphis, Tenn.
Lawson has nearly a week to recover from the 31 minutes he played against LSU (27-8).
The Tigers, who led by five points before Ellington made a second-half push, pulled even at 63-all on Marcus Thornton’s 3-pointer with 8:35 remaining. The Tar Heels responded with an 11-0 run, and Lawson fed Ed Davis for a dunk that gave North Carolina an 80-65 advantage.
“I showed everybody I’m a tough player,” Lawson said. “I can play through an injury. That’s satisfying to me, just knowing that.”
Hansbrough started UNC’s decisive run with a free throw, and Lawson converted a steal into a three-point play. Danny Green later missed a 3-pointer from the left wing, but Ellington chased down the long rebound and tipped the ball right back to Green. He hit a second long-range attempt, and Lawson produced the game’s signature play on the next possession.
He was in the left corner when he took a hard dribble to his right and cut back toward the baseline with a crossover move that created separation from LSU point guard Bo Spencer. Lawson encountered 6-foot-11 center Chris Johnson and 6-7 forward Tasmin Mitchell near the basket before making a hanging layup.
“It kind of shocked me,” Green said. “I didn’t think he still had it in him. It was a great move, and the better part was that he finished the play.
“That kind of made a statement for him that he was back, pretty much, so I expect him to keep doing that from now on.”
Lawson walked gingerly as he left the lineup midway through a first half in which he missed four of his five shots.
He removed his right shoe, then went to the end of the bench to consult with team trainer Chris Hirth.
“I tried to pivot off my toe, and I heard something pop,” Lawson said. “It was like immediate pain. I didn’t know what it was, so I decided to take myself out.
“The trainer looked at it, and he said it probably popped because the scar tissue was trying to go away. Hopefully it’s a good thing.”
Lawson returned following a four-minute absence, but his play didn’t pick up until the second half.
The Tigers erased a 38-29 deficit by opening the second half with an 18-6 run.
A pair of 3-pointers from Lawson accounted for UNC’s only points in that stretch, and he went 6-for-8 after the break thanks to a willingness to drive for layups.
“When you get the adrenaline flowing, it takes away the pain,” Lawson said. “I just lost myself in the game. I didn’t start feeling pain until the end of the game.”
As soon as Lawson saw LSU pull its starters with a minute left, he motioned toward UNC’s bench to express his desire to depart.
Williams inserted five subs, and Lawson received congratulatory hugs and handshakes as he progressed down the sideline. He reached Hirth, who told him, “Way to battle.”
The “Menace” had managed to impress coaches and teammates who’ve wondered about his ability to play through pain.
“Sometimes he does limp around and act soft, but I know how tough he can be,” Green said. “When the game’s on the line, big-time players step up and do big-time things.”