Henri Veesaar made a strong return for the North Carolina Tar Heels, scoring 19 points in their 77-64 victory over Syracuse on Saturday. The game took place in the JMA Wireless Dome, where Carolina shot an impressive 61.5% in the second half, allowing them to break away from the Orange.
With this win, the Tar Heels now stand at 21-6 overall and 9-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Syracuse, on the other hand, has struggled recently, losing eight of their last eleven games and now holds a record of 15-13, 6-9.
Veesaar’s impact was clear. After missing the previous two games due to illness and injury, he hit 9 of 13 shots. Coach Hubert Davis noted, “Having him back in the lineup was huge.” In the first half, Carolina led by just five points, 33-28. However, they dominated the second half, making 16 of 26 attempts, which sealed the game for them.
Seth Trimble found his stride in the second half, scoring 13 points and grabbing five rebounds after a quiet first half. Zayden High also contributed significantly, scoring nine points and snagging a career-high 11 rebounds.
For Syracuse, JJ Starling was the standout performer, scoring a season-high 22 points. However, the Tar Heels’ defense was a major factor. They held Syracuse to a mere 3 of 17 from beyond the arc and outscored them 13-4 on turnovers. Carolina also excelled in fast-break points, leading 19-9.
Historically, games between these two teams have been intense, and this one was no different. In the first half, both teams struggled, with Carolina missing 11 of their first 15 shots. Despite that shaky start, they rallied, hitting seven straight shots to take control before halftime.
In the second half, UNC built momentum, going on an 8-0 run to gain a 52-44 lead. Syracuse faced significant challenges, missing eight of their last ten shots as Carolina extended their lead to as much as 12 points.
Next, the Tar Heels will quickly prepare to face No. 21 Louisville on Monday, a crucial matchup as they push for a stronger position in the conference.
For stats and detailed analysis on the Tar Heels’ performance this season, you can check the NCAA website.
