The JMA Wireless Dome’s floor flooded with blue and orange as Syracuse students celebrated their men’s basketball program’s first top-10 victory in over five years.
The Orange stunned the No.7 North Carolina Tar Heels with a 86-79 upset Tuesday night after struggling with turnovers down the stretch.
Just a month ago, Syracuse (16-9, 7-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) suffered a 36-point loss at the hands of the Tar Heels (19-6, 11-3 ACC), which was Syracuse’s largest losing gap since 2006.
Syracuse’s JJ Starling and Judah Mintz combined for 48 points to lead the Orange while the team shot 62.5% from the field. Four starters also scored in double figures.
Both teams kept it close throughout the first half, tying it at 42 a piece at halftime. It wasn’t until late in the second half that North Carolina saw a 1-point, 65-64 lead.
But Syracuse’s defense commanded the court and allowed the Orange to outscore UNC 22-14 until the end.
STATEMENT WIN. 🍊 pic.twitter.com/6zciDqpc6q
— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) February 14, 2024
Syracuse made enough foul shots in crunch time to walk away with the seven-point victory.
North Carolina’s loss at the Dome Tuesday is their third in the past five games.
RJ Davis led North Carolina with 19 points while Cormac Ryan followed with 18. Both Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram scored 14 for the Tar Heels.
Up next, Syracuse will look to bring their momentum on Saturday when it visits Georgia Tech. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels will have the chance to bounce back Sunday when they host Virginia Tech.
