MBB Triumphs Over Syracuse with 77-64 Victory

In a thrilling matchup on Saturday afternoon, the North Carolina Tar Heels triumphed over the Syracuse Orange with a 77-64 victory at the JMA Wireless Dome. The win marked a significant achievement for UNC, as they improved their overall record to 21-6 and went 9-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

MBB Triumphs Over Syracuse

Henri Veesaar led the Tar Heels with a standout performance, scoring 19 points in his return to the lineup after missing two games due to an illness and injury. Veesaar made 9 of 13 shots, showcasing his offensive prowess on the court.

Game Highlights

• Syracuse fell to 15-13 overall and 6-9 in the ACC, losing for the eighth time in 11 games.
• North Carolina shot a remarkable 61.5% in the second half.
• Seth Trimble contributed 13 points and five rebounds, shining in the second half after a slow start.
• Zayden High added nine points and a career-high 11 rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double.

After leading by just five points at halftime, 33-28, UNC’s dominant second half allowed them to decisively pull away. This victory completed a season sweep against Syracuse, following their earlier 87-77 win in Chapel Hill.

Statistical Breakdown

Game Progression

North Carolina started the game slowly, struggling to find their rhythm and missing 11 of their first 15 shots. However, key plays from Jonathan Powell and a strong finish to the half helped them take a lead into halftime. The team benefitted from a scoring run, hitting seven consecutive shots to build momentum.

In the second half, Carolina began with a shaky shooting performance but quickly regained their form, finishing strong. While the Tar Heels dominated the boards with significant contributions from players like High, Syracuse’s JJ Starling led all scorers with 22 points, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win.

What’s Next for UNC

The Tar Heels are set to host No. 21 Louisville on Monday at 7 p.m. in the Smith Center. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN.