Tar Heels take down Syracuse

by The Associated Press
Rich Barnes / Getty Images Sport / Getty

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Theo Pinson scored a career-high 23 points, Joel Berry II added 18, including the tiebreaking layup with 1:36 left, and North Carolina held off Syracuse.

North Carolina (22-7, 11-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) has won six straight, but this was the most difficult against a team fighting for its postseason life. Syracuse (18-10, 7-8) was coming off an important road victory over Miami and was teetering on the NCAA Tournament bubble entering the game.

Tyus Battle scored 26 points, and Frank Howard had 23 for Syracuse.

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