Syracuse stuns No. 7 UNC behind Judah Mintz’s 25 factors

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Judah Mintz scored 25 factors, together with 16 within the second half, and JJ Starling had 13 of his 23 factors within the second half as Syracuse surprised No. 7 North Carolina 86-79 on Tuesday evening.

The raucous house crowd rushed the courtroom to have fun this system’s first win over a High 10 group since a 95-91 extra time win over Duke in 2019. Syracuse entered Tuesday’s recreation having misplaced 16 straight vs. AP High 10 groups, with a median margin of defeat of just below 16 factors, based on ESPN Stats & Data analysis.

The Orange shot 63% from the sphere and 47% from 3. The loss was North Carolina’s third in 5 video games.

“This recreation, clearly, was one of the best recreation we have performed all yr,” mentioned Syracuse first-year coach Adrian Autry. “Judah and JJ actually stepped up large, however everyone who stepped on the courtroom had a hand within the victory.”

North Carolina (19-6, 11-3 Atlantic Coast Convention) missed its first 10 pictures of the second half and fell behind 52-43 however rallied and took a 65-64 lead on a layup by RJ Davis with 7:16 to go. However the Orange (16-9, 7-7), which suffered a 103-67 loss at Chapel Hill final month, was to not be denied.

“We confirmed that we received coronary heart,” Mintz mentioned. “I believe we have been exhibiting that every one yr.”

“We would not have gained if we did not suppose we may win it,” he added. “We’re a assured group regardless of how the percentages are stacked towards us. It is nice to get the win for this system.”

Starling hit a desperation 3-point financial institution shot to reclaim the Orange lead at 67-65 with underneath seven minutes to go. Mintz hit a layup, jumper and two foul pictures to offer the Orange a 73-67 margin, and Starling hit one other 3 to offer Syracuse a 76-69 lead following a Harrison Ingram jumper with underneath three to go.

“That is big-time for certain,” mentioned Starling, who hails from close by Baldwinsville. “We would have liked it. … One recreation towards them confirmed that it wasn’t us. This confirmed what we’re able to.”

Maliq Brown had 14 factors and 6 rebounds for Syracuse in Tuesday’s recreation, whereas Chris Bell chipped in with 13.

Davis led North Carolina with 19 factors. Cormac Ryan had 18, and Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram had 14 apiece.

“We did not play properly sufficient to win, we have simply received to get higher. They shot 63% from area. Only a few groups within the nation you’ll be able to beat particularly on the highway after they shoot that properly,” North Carolina coach Hubert Davis mentioned. “You must praise Syracuse. They stepped up and made large performs and large pictures.

“On the finish of the day you simply must step up and make performs, we simply did not, we did not make sufficient. We’ll return and have a look at the tape and work arduous, get higher and transfer ahead to the following recreation.”

The Related Press contributed to this story.