HOUSTON -- Marcus Paige made three 3-pointers in the second half to help North Carolina get untracked from long range and stifle a Syracuse rally for an 83-66 victory that moved the Tar Heels one win from the program's sixth title.
The Tar Heels (33-6) were 0 for 11 from 3-point range midway through the second half, and Syracuse trimmed a 17-point deficit to seven before Paige found his range. He hit three 3s over the span of seven minutes to end Syracuse's chances.
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Brice Johnson and Justin Jackson led North Carolina with 16 points each.