Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) -- Dexter Strickland tied his season high with 16 points and North Carolina reached the 20-win mark for the ninth straight season with a 68-59 victory over Clemson on Thursday night.

The Tar Heels (20-8, 10-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) won a season-high fourth straight in league play and took their 15th in the past 16 games with the Tigers (13-14, 5-10). Strickland led all five North Carolina starters in double figures. Reggie Bullock added 12 points and nine rebounds, while James Michael McAdoo and P.J. Hairston had 11 points each. Marcus Paige scored 10.

Devin Booker had 25 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Tigers, who lost their third straight and for the sixth time in the past seven games. Milton Jennings also had a double-double for Clemson with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

North Carolina saw its 17-point lead slip to seven in the final minute but held on.