COL BKB: Syracuse 57, North Carolina 45

SYRACUSE, N.Y., Jan. 11 (UPI) -- C.J. Fair scored 20 points to lead second-ranked Syracuse to a 57-45 win over visiting North Carolina Saturday in a high-profile ACC contest.

The Orange (16-0, 3-0 ACC) remained undefeated with its convincing win over the ACC stalwart Tar Heels (10-6, 0-3).

Fair also had eight rebounds for the Orange, who shot a mediocre 35 percent from the field and won the battle of the boards 41-35. Jermai Grant had a dozen rebounds to go with an equal number of points.

Marcus Paige scored 17 points and James Michael McAdoo scored 15 to lead the Tar Heels, who lost their third consecutive game.

Syracuse led 34-22 and was not seriously challenged during its second-half cruise to the win.