CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Things just haven’t gotten easier for No. 25 Pittsburgh.

When Pitt lost at home to Duke on Jan. 27, it was 6-2 in its inaugural run through the Atlantic Coast Conference. But Saturday’s 75-71 loss at North Carolina marked the Panthers’ fifth straight game decided by five or fewer points, with Jamie Dixon’s squad losing three — two on last-second shots — while its two wins came in overtime or double overtime.

“It affects us a lot,” fifth-year senior Lamar Patterson said. “We’re not beating teams the way we should be or beating teams when it comes down to the end. We’re just not getting it done.”

Patterson said his team has “to get it done the whole game so it doesn’t come down to these situations” late in games.

For North Carolina, James Michael McAdoo had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Tar Heels’ sixth straight victory.

Marcus Paige added 18 points for the Tar Heels (17-7, 7-4). Patterson scored 16 points to lead the Panthers.