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Second-half burst propels UNC to convincing win over Syracuse
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- Second-half burst propels UNC to convincing win over Syracuse
The North Carolina Tar Heels got embarrassed on Tuesday at NC State , so they needed a victory Saturday in the worst way.
UNC traveled to Upstate New York for a 1 p.m. tip-off against Syracuse, a fellow ACC program which suffered a blowout loss of its own, on Monday at Duke .
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Just before tip-off, North Carolina learned it would get star center Henri Veesaar back from a 2-game absence. After a tough start, Veessar quickly shook off the rust, leading the Tar Heels with 19 points in a 77-64 victory.
With 12 minutes left in the second half UNC (21-6, 9-5 ACC) and the host Orange (15-13, 6-9 ACC) found themselves deadlocked in a 44-all tie. Syracuse had all the momentum in front of a sold-out crowd.
That media timeout was exactly what North Carolina needed. The Tar Heels scored eight straight points, starting with a Zayden High post turnaround and ending with a Veesaar dunk.
The Orange, anchored by a valiant second-half effort from leading scorer JJ Starling (22 points), had several chances to take a momentum-swinging lead. UNC's defense, which struggled immensely at times this season, prevented Syracuse from ever taking over.
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Veesaar's presence allowed North Carolina to space the floor, leading to three guys scoring in double-figures. Veesaar anchored the Tar Heels' scoring attack with 19 points, while Luka Bogavac and Seth Trimble (13 each) also reached double-digits.
Transition offense, a staple of UNC's game, played a major factor in the outcome. North Carolina scored 19 fast break points, to just nine for the Orange.
The Tar Heels have a quick turnaround, hosting ranked Louisville on Monday. When UNC needed a win most, the guys delivered.
FINAL: UNC 77, Syracuse 64
The Tar Heels are back in the win column, thanks to Saturday's 13-point win that completes the season sweep of Syracuse.
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Tar Heels up 12 at final media timeout
UNC is 3:42 away from sweeping its season series with Syracuse. North Carolina leads the Orange, 65-53, at the game's final media timeout.
Seth Trimble for takeoff!
A Henri Veesaar Dunk for your viewing pleasure!
BANG! 8-point swing gives Tar Heels the lead again
UNC's offense is finally alive again, breaking a 44-all tie and now leading, 52-44. The Tar Heels have eight straight points, thanks to a Zayden High layup, two Seth Trimble buckets and a Henri Veesaar dunk.
JJ Starling takeover?
Syracuse guard JJ Starling has 18 points to lead all scorers. He has 10 points in the second half alone, while UNC has 11 as a team.
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And...we're tied again.
William Kyle's dunk ties the game at 44-all. UNC and Syracuse are currently in the 12-minute media timeout – at exactly 12 minutes.
Tar Heels take 4-point lead into second half's under-16 media timeout
UNC breaks the 36-all tie with Syracuse – and now leads, 40-36, with 15:38 left in the second half. Henri Veesaar and Luka Bogavac have North Carolina's last four points.
This game is tied
UNC and Syracuse are tied at 36-all just under three minutes into the second half.
3-pointers a major first-half advantage for UNC
The Tar Heels made five of their first 11 3-pointers in the first half against Syracuse, while the hosts shot just 1-of-8 from deep.
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HALFTIME: UNC 33, Syracuse 28
The Tar Heels take a 5-point lead into halftime. North Carolina is benefitting greatly from Henri Veesaar's return to the starting lineup, as he already has nine first-half points.
Henri Veesaar BLOCKS it away!
As Syracuse drove the basketball down low with time expiring in the first half, UNC center Henri Veesaar – in his first game back – blocks the Sadiq White 6-foot jumper.
Syracuse has chance to make it a one-possession game
UNC leads Syracuse, 33-28, with 9 seconds remaining in the first half. The Orange have the basketball with one final shot before halftime.
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Tar Heels cooking?
UNC made its last seven shots from the field, plus three free throws from Zayden High.
North Carolina leads Syracuse, 30-22, with just over four minutes left in the first half.
Zayden High's hustle gives UNC the ball back!
Zayden High is the missing post man North Carolina needs. He just stole the ball from Syracuse, then called a timeout while diving on the floor.
Tar Heels lead Syracuse, 25-20, with 6:22 left in the first half.
A Henri Veesaar 3-pointer...a Syracuse timeout!
In his first game back from injury, UNC center Henri Veesaar already has nine points in just 10 minutes. His most recent bucket, a 3-pointer with 7:44 left in the first half, extended the North Carolina lead to 22-18 and forced a Syracuse timeout.
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Two quick threes give UNC the lead!
Jonathan Powell, the West Virginia transfer who's a key guy off the bench for UNC, nailed consecutive 3-pointers to give his team a 17-14 lead over Syracuse – midway through the first half.
Syracuse takes 3-point lead into under-12 media timeout
UNC trails, 12-9, with 11:59 left in the first half. A low-scoring, defensive minded game for both teams.
North Carolina is shooting just 27 percent from the field, while the Orange are 46%.
Tar Heels trail by three at first media timeout
Syracuse came roaring out of the gate, seemingly making every shot, but UNC's offense is slowly starting to find its rhythm.
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North Carolina trails the Orange, 10-7, at the day's first media timeout with 14:26 left on the first-half clock.
Luka Bogavac opens the UNC scoring.
Bogavac, who struggled with just nine points at NC State on Tuesday, started the Tar Heels' scoring party with a contested layup early.
UNC starters
The Tar Heels roll with a starting lineup of Seth Trimble, Luka Bogavac, Jarin Stevenson, Derek Dixon and Henri Veesaar.
Could Caleb Wilson be back on the court soon, too?
Caleb Wilson, UNC's superstar freshman, is currently out with a broken left hand. The fact he's shooting free throws, even with a cast on, means he could be back for ACC Tournament play.
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CONFIRMED: Henri Veesaar is starting!
Veesaar's return gives UNC some much-needed frontcourt depth, plus it allows Jarin Stevenson and Zayden High to rest.
Could Henri Veesaar return to the court today?
Henri Veesaar, the ACC's leader in double-doubles, missed each of UNC's past three games with an injury. The fact Veesaar is in the pre-Syracuse layup lines, is a good sign for his availability today.
What channel is UNC at Syracuse on Saturday? Time, TV schedule, radio
TV Channel: ABC
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Radio: SiriusXM (Channels 194 and 387)
Website: WatchESPN
Where to watch UNC at Syracuse on live stream
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UNC at Syracuse prediction, picks, odds
The Tar Heels need a resounding victory, particularly after what transpired Tuesday night in Raleigh. Syracuse isn't anywhere close to NC State's caliber this season, but an upset could be just what it needs to make the NCAA Tournament.
North Carolina responds, guard play steps up and – temporarily – belief is restored in an ugly win.
Score prediction:UNC 74, Syracuse 68
Spread: UNC -2.5
Total:O/U 153.5
Moneyline: Syracuse +120, UNC -144
Full UNC basketball schedule
Oct. 4: Blue-White Scrimmage (White 55, Blue 50)
Oct. 24: at BYU (preseason, L 78-76)
Oct. 29: vs. Winston-Salem State (preseason, W 95-53)
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Nov. 3: vs. Central Arkansas (W, 94-54)
Nov. 7: vs. Kansas (W, 87-74)
Nov. 11: vs. Radford (W, 89-74)
Nov. 14: vs. NC Central (W, 97-53)
Nov. 18: vs. Navy (W, 73-61)
Nov. 25: vs. St. Bonaventure in Fort Myers (Florida) Tip-Off (W, 85-70)
Nov. 27: vs. Michigan State in Fort Myers (Fla.) Tip-Off (L, 74-58)
Dec. 2: at Kentucky (W, 67-64)
Dec. 7: vs. Georgetown (W, 81-61)
Dec. 13: vs. USC Upstate (W, 80-62)
Dec. 16: vs. ETSU (W, 77-58)
Dec. 20: vs. Ohio State in CBS Sports Classic (W, 71-70)
Dec. 22: vs. East Carolina (W, 99-51)
Dec. 30: vs. Florida State (W, 79-66)
January 3: at SMU (L, 97-83)
Jan. 10: vs. Wake Forest (W, 87-84)
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Jan. 14: at Stanford (L, 95-90)
Jan. 17: at California (L, 84-78)
Jan. 21: vs. Notre Dame (W, 91-69)
Jan. 24: at Virginia (W, 85-80)
Jan. 31: at Georgia Tech (W, 91-75)
Feb. 2: vs. Syracuse (W, 87-77)
Feb. 7: vs. Duke (W, 71-68)
Feb. 10: at Miami (FL) (L, 75-66)
Feb. 14: vs. Pitt (W, 79-65)
Feb. 17: at NC State (L, 82-58)
Feb. 21: at Syracuse (1 p.m.)
Feb. 23: vs. Louisville (7 p.m.)
Feb. 28: vs. Virginia Tech (TBA)
March 3: vs. Clemson (7 p.m.)
March 7: at Duke (6:30 p.m.)
March 10-14: ACC Tournament in Spectrum Center (Charlotte, N.C.)
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC downs Syracuse by 13, completes season series sweep in Upstate NY
