CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) – Brice Johnson had 15 of his 17 points after halftime and No. 13 North Carolina shot 55 percent to beat Syracuse 93-83 on Monday night.
Nate Britt added a career-best 17 points and four 3-pointers off the bench for the Tar Heels (17-4, 7-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), who pulled away in the final 4 minutes for their sixth straight win. UNC shot 62 percent in the second half and took control once it stopped turning the ball over against the Orange’s zone defense.
Johnson was key in UNC’s second-half production. After managing just two points on one shot attempt in the first half, the 6-foot-9 junior went 5 for 5 after the break – including three straight baskets in the first 90 seconds of the half – and finished with 11 rebounds.
By the final horn, UNC had the best shooting percentage and scoring total allowed all season by Syracuse (14-7, 5-3).
Marcus Paige finished with 22 points, six rebounds and eight assists to lead the Tar Heels, who won despite committing a season-high 20 turnovers that led to 21 points for Syracuse.