CORAL GABLES, Fla. — If North Carolina hadn't spotted the Atlantic Coast Conference a two-game head start, the race might already be over.

Ty Lawson scored 21 points in the second half, including a huge 3-pointer with 10.6 seconds left, and the third-ranked Tar Heels wasted most of a 14-point lead before beating Miami 69-65 Sunday night — despite a 35-point effort from Hurricanes guard Jack McClinton.

Duke and Clemson lost earlier Sunday. So the Heels, who started 0-2 in league play, now have a two-game ACC lead.

Boston College upset the No. 6 Blue Devils, 80-74, while Virginia surprised No. 12 Clemson in overtime, 85-81.

"Better than being two games behind like it was when we started," North Carolina coach Roy Williams said.

Lawson hadn't felt well since Thursday, with a stuffy nose and sore throat still bothering him at game time.

And somehow, he was at his best when the game mattered most for the Heels (23-2, 9-2 ACC).

Miami trailed 54-40 with 12:01 left, then got within one on three occasions in the final 5 minutes. But each time Miami was a point away, Lawson nailed a 3-pointer, part of his 5-for-7 effort from beyond the arc in the second half.