CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Tyler Hansbrough had 29 points to help keep third-ranked North Carolina at the top of the Atlantic Coast Conference standings with an 89-73 win over Wake Forest tonight.

Wayne Ellington added 17 points for the Tar Heels, who won their fourth straight in the series and fifth in a row overall. Danny Green added 15 points to help North Carolina (26-2, 11-2) move a half-game ahead of idle Duke.

North Carolina shot 56 percent, including 7-for-14 from 3-point range and 26-for-34 from the foul line.

James Johnson scored 22 points for the Demon Deacons (16-9, 6-6), who were within two points late in the first half before the Tar Heels steadily pulled away. Wake Forest was playing for the first time since last weekend's 86-73 upset of the then-No. 2 Blue Devils, easily the program's biggest victory since Chris Paul left early for the NBA three years ago.

Hansbrough turned in another stellar performance, going 9-for-13 from the field and 11-for-14 from the line. It was his seventh straight game with at least 22 points, a streak that began when the Tar Heels lost point guard Ty Lawson to a sprained left ankle in the early minutes of an overtime win at Florida State on Feb. 3.

Hansbrough is averaging 28 points and 12.1 rebounds during that stretch, helping pad his lead as the conference leader in both categories.