CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Was Joseph Forte sending a message to the Wooden Award committee?

Left off the list of 30 finalists for the award earlier this week, Forte took out his frustrations against College of Charleston, leading No. 16 North Carolina to a 64-60 win in the Tournament of Champions title game.

Forte had 29 points, six rebounds and two steals, including a crucial one in the final seconds, to warrant consideration for the national player of the year award.

North Carolina found itself locked in a 57-57 tie with 1:12 remaining after a short jumper by Jeff Bolton. After Jeff Capel put the Tar Heels ahead by converting a layup with 38 seconds left, Forte picked off a bad pass by Tyrone Nelson and drove for an uncontested layup.

Bolton nailed a 3-pointer with 5.1 seconds left, but Max Owens, who scored 11 points off the bench for the Tar Heels, completed a three-point play moments later to seal it.

It is the second straight Tournament of Champions crown for the Tar Heels (8-2), who improved to 20-2 all-time in the event, including 2-1 against the Cougars. The schools have never met outside this event.

North Carolina defeated Massachusetts in the semifinals while Charleston knocked off Richmond.

Kris Lang had 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots and Capel collected eight points, eight rebounds and three assists for the Tar Heels, who who have won six straight. They open their Atlantic Coast Conference schedule on Tuesday at Georgia Tech.

Jeff Bolton scored 25 points for College of Charleston, which had a six-game winning streak snapped. The Cougars nearly pulled off the upset despite shooting just 45 percent (24-of-53) and being outrebounded, 44-26.

North Carolina connected on 42 percent (27-of-64) of its shots, including 3-of-14 from 3-point range.