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UNC Tarheels Pulls Through A Tight Win Against Syracuse Orange

Ashlynn Dotson @ashlynndotson @SpecMagSports

Syracuse,  New York – The UNC men’s basketball (15-6, 7-3) team defeated Syracuse Orange (13-8, 6-4) 72-68 in a hard-fought game, giving them their fourth straight victory. 

R.J. Davis‘ three-pointer put UNC on the scoreboard in the JWA Wireless Dome less than 20 seconds into the contest. Following with his own three-pointer, Caleb Love gave the Tarheels an early six-point advantage. Just over four minutes into the game, Love, who has struggled to make threes this season (26.8%), sunk another one. After the first media break, Syracuse began to gain ground, going on a 7-2 run, but Love went three-for-three from beyond the arc to increase UNC’s lead back to seven. Joseph Girard, who scored 12 points despite committing four errors in the first half, kept the Orange in the contest. 

Despite Syracuse not taking the lead until the second half, the game remained competitive the whole time. 16 turnovers by the Orange resulted in 21 points for the Tarheels. The difference in free throw percentage was another crucial factor. Despite Syracuse scoring more points in the paint, North Carolina had 23 attempts compared to only three for Syracuse Orange. Heels lead 38 to 34 at the half.

As a result of the Tarheels’ inability to maintain offensive dominance, Syracuse was able to take a 42-41 lead by missing their first four attempts of the second half. The North Carolina defense held up well even as the offense struggled a little bit, preventing Syracuse from taking a second lead. 

Syracuse held on despite a 12-4 surge by the UNC offense as it collected itself. With nine minutes left, the Orange made three three-pointers in little over two minutes to get this game within two.

With 1:28 remaining, Joe Girard made a long-range shot to give Syracuse a 68-66 lead. However, after Pete Nance made the first of two free throws to pull North Carolina within one, he missed the second one, and as players scrambled to grab the rebound, the ball careened toward the goal line. Girard dove to save it. He sent the ball to Nance instead, who dunk for the lead.

Nance ended the game with 21 points, Love went 3-5 on three-pointers, and Bacot ended with 18 points to secure the win for UNC. 

The Tarheels will play the Pittsburgh Panthers at the Dean Dome on Wednesday, February 1st, after a week’s break.