North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough dunks for two of his 23 points against Valparaiso.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. ? Danny Green has made coming off the bench something of a show for top-ranked North Carolina this season.

First comes his gyrating dance moves from the Smith Center sideline just before tipoff. Then comes a solid all-around game that has made the Tar Heels deep and dangerous.

The junior matched his career-high with 20 points and sparked the decisive second-half spurt Sunday night to help North Carolina beat Valparaiso, 90-58, keeping the Tar Heels rolling as they head into the final games of their nonconference schedule.

Tyler Hansbrough had 23 points and 13 rebounds for the Tar Heels, who are off to their best start since winning 17 in a row to start the 1997-98 season.

With just one game left before opening Atlantic Coast Conference play, North Carolina has been repeatedly rolling up big-margin victories and cracking the 100-point mark in crowd-pleasing fashion. The Tar Heels eventually made this one look the same way despite blowing an early 17-point lead.

Green, a 6-foot-6 junior, came in averaging 12.6 points despite starting just one game. But he finished 8-for-10 from the floor and 4-for-5 from three-point range against the Crusaders (10-3), including four rebounds, five assists, three steals and four blocks in 20 minutes.

“As long as we keep winning and as long as we play well, I’m fine with it,” Green said. “I don’t need to start.”

Big 12

Mississippi St. 87, Missouri 75

Starkville, Miss. – Barry Stewart set career highs of 24 points and seven assists and started a game-winning rally with a three-pointer for Mississippi State.

The Bulldogs lost a 12-point lead early in the second half but recovered late after Stewart hit the three and Jamont Gordon tipped in a missed shot on consecutive possessions in the final four minutes.

The Tigers were led by guard Matt Lawrence, whose 28 points were a career high. Stefhon Hannah added 16 points and seven assists before fouling out, while DeMarre Carroll added 12 points before also fouling out.

Iowa State 76, Albany 64

Ames, Iowa – Wesley Johnson scored 15 straight points early in the second half, including four straight three-pointers, and finished with 20 to lead Iowa State.

Jiri Hubalek added 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Rahshon Clark scored 12 for the Cyclones, who have won five of their last six. But they were struggling against the Great Danes until Johnson got hot.