The No. 9-ranked UNC women's basketball program took care of business on the road, defeating Syracuse on Thursday night to capture their sixth consecutive victory.

Playing without the injured Alyssa Ustby, North Carolina had to mix and match a bit in this one. Fortunately, Maria Gakdeng was active and played dominant basketball, recording her third double-double of the season.

The senior forward finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds, as the Orange simply didn't have an answer for her in the post. Even without Ustby, the team's leading rebounder, the Tar Heels made it a focal point to pick up the slack in their effort on the glass, outrebounding Syracuse 40-26.

While the Tar Heels led for most of the game, Syracuse wouldn't let them blow the game out of the water. With some sloppy play down the streth, Syracuse cut the lead to as little as eight points, but the Tar Heels wouldn't let them get any closer.

Sure, the 20 turnovers and some sloppy play in the second half isn't ideal, but this is a good learning experience for Courtney Banghart's team. While Banghart noted that Ustby is expected back this season, the Tar Heels still might be without her for a few more games, so this game provides some game tape for the staff to look at to see how certain lineups and adjustments worked.

It's often said but it isn't said enough: good teams find ways to win. North Carolina did just that, as it wasn't a double-digit victory that it looked like it will be, but it is one that still shows up in the win column.

Now, the focus shifts to another big game on Sunday against Louisville.