Syracuse upsets UNC to win 2K Sports Classic

Syracuse forward Wesley Johnson shoots against UNC's Ed Davis and Tyler Zeller.

Behind a 20-1 run to start the second half, Syracuse beat North Carolina 87-71 to win the 2K Sports Classic in Madison Square Garden.

Tournament MVP Wes Johnson scored 25 points and hit four 3-pointers to lead the Orange. Four of his teammates also reached double figures.

UNC led 39-37 at halftime but came out flat after the break. Its first four possessions in the second half ended in two airballs and two turnovers.

Much of UNC's offensive woes were due to the Syracuse zone defense, which Roy Williams and Deon Thompson both called the best in college basketball.

The zone led to 14 Syracuse steals, which the Orange turned into 23 points. Syracuse also scored 11 points on the fast break (UNC had two) and limited the Tar Heels to 38 percent shooting.

Ed Davis scored 16 points and grabbed 10 boards, while Marcus Ginyard scored 15 and was named to the All-Tournament team.