Thanks to its defense, UNC tops Virginia 61-57 for ACC title

North Carolina forward Isaiah Hicks (4) dunks the ball against Virginia center Mike Tobey (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) North Carolina forward Isaiah Hicks (4) dunks the ball against Virginia center Mike Tobey (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

By Associated Press March 12, 2016 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – No. 7 North Carolina held No. 4 Virginia without a field goal for more than 8 minutes in the second half, and Joel Berry II scored 19 points Saturday night, giving the Tar Heels a 61-57 victory for their first ACC Tournament title since 2008.

Since then, coach Roy Williams had led UNC to four finals and lost each one.

Marcus Paige added 13 points for North Carolina (28-6), which won its 18th league championship.

Marcus Brogdon led Virginia (26-7) with 15 points, but the conference player of the year was limited to 6 of 22 on field-goal attempts, 2 of 9 on 3s. In all, Carolina held the Cavs to 37 percent shooting.

Now comes the NCAA Tournament and an all-but-certain No. 1 seeding that often feels like a birthright for the kids who wear Carolina blue.