CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant individual performance and a collective offensive drought at the worst possible time, the North Carolina Tar Heels outlasted the Syracuse Orange 77-71 in overtime Sunday in an Atlantic Coast Conference women’s basketball clash at the Dean Smith Center.

Syracuse’s Izoje Uche delivered a monumental effort, scoring a game-high 27 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome a Syracuse offense that went ice-cold in the fourth quarter and overtime, nor the balanced attack of North Carolina’s Nyla Harris, who posted 21 points and 11 rebounds.

The game’s pivotal stretch arrived late in regulation. North Carolina, which led by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, saw its offense stall completely in the fourth. The Tar Heels managed only nine points in the period, missing 10 of their 13 field goal attempts and committing five turnovers. This opened the door for a Syracuse rally.

The Orange, capitalizing on relentless offensive rebounding, chipped away at the deficit. Uche was the engine, scoring six points during a critical 8-0 Syracuse run. Her putback layup with 3:52 remaining in the fourth quarter cut the North Carolina lead to 66-64. After a Tar Heels turnover, Uche was fouled and hit two free throws to tie the game at 68 with 1:39 left, completing the comeback from a 68-60 deficit.

Both teams had chances to win in the final minute of regulation. Syracuse’s Dominique Darius, who finished with 19 points, missed a three-pointer with 29 seconds left. North Carolina secured the rebound and called timeout to set up a final play, but Reniya Kelly’s pass was stolen by Syracuse’s Laila Phelia with 4.4 seconds remaining. The Orange had a final look, but Uche’s contested layup at the buzzer rolled off the rim, sending the game to overtime tied at 68.

The extra period belonged entirely to North Carolina. Syracuse’s shooting woes, which saw them make just 34.6% from the field for the game and a dismal 15% from three-point range, reached a crescendo. The Orange scored only three points in overtime, missing 10 of their 11 shot attempts. Their lone points came on a Darius jumper early in the period.

North Carolina seized control immediately. Harris scored five quick points in the overtime, including a traditional three-point play that put the Tar Heels ahead 73-68. Syracuse, visibly fatigued, could not respond, with multiple possessions ending in rushed, contested misses. The Tar Heels sealed the game at the free-throw line, going 4-for-4 in the final two minutes.

Beyond the star turns from Uche and Harris, the game was a tale of contrasting efficiencies. North Carolina shot 45% from the field and connected on 9 of 24 three-pointers. Syracuse, by contrast, labored through 81 possessions, hampered by its poor shooting but kept afloat by a plus-9 advantage in offensive rebounds, which led to 38 points in the paint.

North Carolina’s supporting cast provided crucial contributions. Lanie Grant scored 17 points, including five three-pointers. Indya Nivar added 10 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Ciera Toomey anchored the interior with 10 rebounds and two blocks. For Syracuse, Sophie Burrows had 10 points, six rebounds and four assists.

The win improved North Carolina to 17-5 overall. The Tar Heels, who were installed as 9.5-point favorites pregame, narrowly covered the spread. The total score of 148 went over the betting line of 135.5. Syracuse fell to 16-4 with the hard-fought road loss.

The game was the only scheduled regular-season meeting between the two ACC foes this season. North Carolina next travels to face North Carolina State on Monday, Feb. 2. Syracuse returns home to host Georgia Tech on Thursday, Jan. 29.