NEW YORK (AP) — Deon Thompson had 15 points and 12 rebounds and No. 6 North Carolina managed to hold on for a 77-73 victory over No. 15 Ohio State in the 2K Sports Classic semifinals on Thursday night.

The Tar Heels (4-0), who led by 19 points with 10:23 to play, will face Syracuse, which beat No. 13 California 95-73, in Friday night’s championship game of the tournament that benefits Coaches vs. Cancer.

North Carolina coach Roy Williams hadn’t been overly pleased with the Tar Heels’ play in their three double-digit victories, including ones over Florida International and North Carolina Central, to advance to New York.

He couldn’t find much to be upset with early against Ohio State (2-1) as the defending national champions — only one starter returned from the team that beat Michigan State in April — were in charge for most of the game.

The Buckeyes finally started hitting from the outside at the same time the Tar Heels starting missing free throws, and Ohio State was within 75-73 on a 3 by Jon Diebler with 11 seconds left.

Larry Drew II, who missed four of his previous six free throws in the final minute, then made two from the line with 11 seconds left for the final margin.

OSU box

No. 6 NORTH CAROLINA 77,

No. 15 OHIO STATE 73

NORTH CAROLINA (4-0)

Graves 6-12 0-1 14, Thompson 4-12 7-8 15, Davis 3-4 1-1 7, Ginyard 4-6 2-2 13, Drew II 2-3 6-10 11, Strickland 0-2 0-0 0, Watts 2-2 0-0 5, Henson 1-3 0-0 2, D.Wear 0-0 0-0 0, T.Wear 2-3 0-0 4, Zeller 2-6 2-3 6. Totals 26-53 18-25 77.

OHIO STATE (2-1)

Madsen 1-3 0-0 2, Turner 9-14 5-6 23, Lighty 4-9 1-4 11, Diebler 4-13 6-6 17, Buford 3-16 1-2 8, Simmons 1-2 2-2 4, Hill 2-2 0-0 4, Lauderdale 2-2 0-2 4. Totals 26-61 15-22 73

Halftime—North Carolina 38-24. 3-Point Goals—North Carolina 7-15 (Ginyard 3-5, Graves 2-6, Drew II 1-1, Watts 1-1, Strickland 0-2), Ohio St. 6-21 (Diebler 3-10, Lighty 2-5, Buford 1-5, Simmons 0-1). Fouled Out—Turner. Rebounds—North Carolina 33 (Thompson 12), Ohio St. 37 (Turner 11). Assists—North Carolina 17 (Drew II 8), Ohio St. 10 (Turner 4). Total Fouls—North Carolina 21, Ohio St. 22. A—15,635.