Tar Heels earn title in ACC

North Carolina used its depth to end eight years of frustration in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, beating North Carolina State, 89-80, Sunday at Tampa, Fla., for its first league title since 1998.

Brandan Wright, the tournament’s most valuable player, and Wayne Ellington each scored 16 points for the Tar Heels (28-6). Tyler Hansbrough added 15 points, making his 11 free throws.

In winning their 16th ACC tournament title, tying Duke for the most in the conference, the Tar Heels nailed down the top seeding in the East Regional and will play No. 16 Eastern Kentucky on Thursday.

“For these three days, we came together and played pretty doggone well,” Coach Roy Williams said.

Brandon Costner had 28 points for North Carolina State, which did not qualify for the NCAA tournament.

No. 6 Florida 77, Arkansas 56 -- The Gators completed three routs in three days at Atlanta to earn their third consecutive Southeastern Conference tournament championship and a top seeding in the Midwest Regional, where they’ll play 16th-seeded Jackson State on Friday.

Al Horford had 18 points and 12 rebounds for Florida (29-5), and Joakim Noah had 17 points.

Michael Washington had 17 points for the Razorbacks (21-13), who were seeded 12th in the East Regional and will play No. 5 USC on Thursday.

Texas A&M; Corpus Christi 81, Northwestern State 78 -- Chris Daniels scored 19 points at Houston to lead the Islanders (26-6) to the Southland Conference tournament title and their first berth in the NCAA tournament.

The Islanders were seeded 15th in the Midwest Regional, where they will play second-seeded Wisconsin on Friday.

Trey Gilder led the Demons (17-15) with 25 points.