Feb. 20, 1998

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - About the only thing No. 7 North Carolina did wrong Friday night was let senior Tracy Reid sing the national anthem.

Reid scored a game-high 21 points as the Tar Heels beat Maryland 71-52, but her night got off to an ominous start.

The Atlantic Coast Conference's leading scorer for the second straight year, Reid faltered while singing the national anthem before her final home game. She had to start over and finished to supportive applause from the crowd at Carmichael Auditorium.

Reid then hit 8-of-12 shots from the field and made three steals to help North Carolina beat the Terrapins. Nikki Teasley had 16 points and Chanel Wright added 14 for North Carolina (21-5, 11-4 ACC).

The easy win kept the Tar Heels in the hunt for a possible share of the regular-season conference crown. North Carolina would tie Duke for the top spot in the league if the Blue Devils lose at Virginia Sunday and the Tar Heels win at North Carolina State.