First Report: UNC Grinds Out Victory Over Syracuse (via InsideCarolina.com)

The freshman point guard topped 30 points for the third time this season.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – No. 5 North Carolina clinched a double-bye in the ACC Tournament by overcoming an early nine-point deficit to dismiss Syracuse, 93-85, on Tuesday night.

The Tar Heels (23-5, 13-2 ACC) won for the 11th time in 12 games to move a half-game ahead of No. 2 Virginia in the ACC standings. Coby White served as UNC’s primary scoring option, churning out a career-high 34 points on only 14 field goal attempts. The freshman point guard sparked the Tar Heels’ surge out of halftime, scoring 12 of his team’s first 20 points.

White knocked down six three-pointers after making six total in his previous four games.

The Tar Heels turned a 46-43 halftime deficit into a 58-49 lead courtesy of a 12-0 spurt. Syracuse responded with a 14-5 run to tie the game at 63-63 with 11:16 to play. UNC answered with six straight points and held a lead for the final 10:59.

Luke Maye scored nine points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out a career-high six assists. Cameron Johnson added 16 points and seven rebounds. The Tar Heels outrebounded Syracuse, 46-25.

UNC won its eighth straight over Syracuse and its eighth in nine games since the Orange joined the ACC.

Source: https://247sports.com/college/north-carolina/Article/UNC-Basketball-Grinds-Out-Victory-over-Syracuse–129527136/?utm_source=247Sports%20Newsletter&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=190227_102331_North%20Carolina%20Tar%20Heels&utm_content=Link&liveconnect=88-C2-6B-96-4F-4C-2D-60-F3-71-D7-C1-64-51-1E-3D190227_102331NorthCarolinaTarHeels