NEW YORK, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Deon Thompson helped North Carolina build a 19-point second-half lead Thursday and the No. 4 Tar Heels held on to defeat 15th-ranked Ohio State 77-73.
North Carolina (4-0) advanced to the championship game of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer. The Tar Heels will meet Syracuse in Friday's title contest. Syracuse was a 95-73 winner over California in the first semifinal.
Thompson scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, Will Graves added 14 points and Marcus Ginyard had 13.
The Tar Heels owned a 55-36 advantage midway through the second half but Ohio State took advantage of 19 North Carolina turnovers and closed within 75-73 on Jon Diebler's 3-point shot with 15 seconds to play.
Larry Drew II then made two free throws with 11 seconds remaining and a missed 3-point attempt by Ohio State's William Buford ended the hopes of the Buckeyes.
Ohio State suffered its first loss in three games. Evan Turner led the Buckeyes with 23 points.
