When the game is on the line, get it to Harrison Barnes and clear out.

That strategy worked for the fifth time this year as Barnes got the ball with 10 seconds left and his North Carolina team down 70-69. The Tar Heels spread out as Barnes dribbled up high. He tried to penetrate the lane, couldn’t, so he stopped at the top of the key and popped in a three with three seconds left to give the Heels a 72-70 victory at Florida State.

“It’s very exciting to shoot a last-second shot and have the game in your hands,” Barnes said. “You’re either the hero or the goat. Tonight I made it.”

The win moves Carolina to 13-2 and sets up a game for the ACC regular season title at home against Duke on Saturday. The victory also ensures UNC of at least a second-place finish and a bye in the first round of the ACC tournament.

If looked a little iffy there for a while – what with Tyler Zeller and Dexter Strickland in foul trouble and Reggie Bullock out of the season with a knee injury. There are only five other scholarship players on the roster.

Plus, Carolina turned the ball over 15 times, including a handful in the last few minutes when the Heels blew a 67-60 lead.

But this was a well-played game that ended in spectacular fashion on the Barnes three with three seconds left.

Threes and free throw shooting are becoming big for the Tar Heels, who rank near the bottom of the ACC in both categories.

In addition to the late Barnes three, a pair of threes by Leslie McDonald brought the Heels from behind to take a five-point lead that they held until the last few seconds.

The Tar Heels hit 14 of 18 free throws including a seven of eight performance by John Henson, who has struggled from the line all year. His inability to shoot free throws has landed him on the bench in late-game situations, until the Florida State game. It was big to have his presence in the game late.

For more on the Florida State game, please click here.