CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Harrison Barnes scored 23 points and No. 8 North Carolina used smothering defense to rally from an eight-point deficit in the second half and beat Miami 73-64 Wednesday night.

The Tar Heels, who came in leading the nation with 83.5 points per game, shot only 38 percent and went 5 for 18 from 3-point range. But they forced turnovers on four consecutive possessions in the second half to get back in the game, and held Miami without a point for nearly five minutes down the stretch.

North Carolina (22-4, 9-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) took a half-game lead over Duke and Florida State atop the league standings. Miami (15-9, 6-5) lost to the Tar Heels for the 18th time in their 20 meetings, including two defeats this year.

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