The UNC women’s basketball team, known primarily for its defense, had to count on its offense during Thursday night’s ACC clash with arch-rival Duke.
The 19th-ranked Tar Heels and 14th-ranked Blue Devils entered halftime deadlocked at a 16-16 defensive struggle. North Carolina roared out to a big lead in the third quarter, only for Duke to fight back and later send the game into overtime.
Duke scored the first three points of overtime, but it was all UNC from there.
Facing a 3-point deficit, the Tar Heelsembarked on a 10-3 run and upset their arch-rivals, 53-46.
North Carolina (14-3, 2-2 ACC) closed its deficit to 43-42, thanks to a pair of Blanca Thomas free throws. Thomas tied the game at 43 on another free throw, then Lexi Donarskigave UNC the lead – for good – on a 3-pointer that doubled as her first field goal on the night.
As most late-game situations seem to play out, the final minute took seemingly an hour to play out. The Tar Heels continued to sink free throws and get defensive stops, but Duke (12-4, 3-1) kept fouling.
As I mentioned earlier, neither team got into a consistent offensive rhythm. North Carolina shot just 32.1 percent from the field, but limited the Blue Devils to an ice-cold 23.5%.
Alyssa Ustby collected yet another double-double for the Tar Heels, tying for a game-high 10 points (with Duke’s Ashlon Jackson) and pulling down 12 rebounds. Jadyn Donovan (11) and Delaney Thomas (10) each recorded double-digit rebound totals, but only scored in single digits.
UNC is now sixth place in a loaded ACC. North Carolina will host Boston College at 2 p.m. Sunday, hoping to move above .500 in conference play.
As I mentioned earlier, neither team got into a consistent offensive rhythm. North Carolina shot just 32.1 percent from the field, but limited the Blue Devils to an ice-cold 23.5%.
Alyssa Ustby collected yet another double-double for the Tar Heels, tying for a game-high 10 points (with Duke’s Ashlon Jackson) and pulling down 12 rebounds. Jadyn Donovan (11) and Delaney Thomas (10) each recorded double-digit rebound totals, but only scored in single digits.
UNC is now sixth place in a loaded ACC. North Carolina will host Boston College at 2 p.m. Sunday, hoping to move above .500 in conference play.
