UNC Basketball: Women’s team completes epic comeback

The UNC women’s basketball program remains undefeated on the season following an incredible come-from-behind victory over Boston College.

The Tar Heels trailed 60-47 heading into the fourth quarter of Sunday’s road game with the Boston College Eagles, but that wasn’t going to keep them from leaving Chesnut Hill with a victory in their first conference game of 2021 and an undefeated record on the season.

Their 13-point deficit turned into a 76-73 win following a 29-13 run to close out the game. The Tar Heels’ incredible fourth quarter comeback was spearheaded by 11 points from Carlie Littlefield in a span of 5:41. Her sensational last frame included two made field goals and a 7-for-7 mark at the free throw line. That capped off a 22-point effort for Littlefield, who shot 6-for-12 overall and added three rebounds, three steals, and one assist on the day.

Deja Kelly had the eventual game-winning shot with just 10 seconds remaining in regulation, followed by a steal and a pair of free throws to extend the Tar Heels’ lead to three. She had 19 points in total, hitting 6-of-15 shots from the floor, 1-of-2 from three-point range, and 6-of-7 at the foul line. She also had two rebounds, three assists, and four steals, and turned the ball over just twice despite heavy usage on Sunday.

Junior guard Eva Hodgson gave the Tar Heels 15 points and a team-high six assists off the bench. She connected on just 3-of-8 shots for the game but converted 8-of-10 free throws while adding four rebounds and four steals.

North Carolina only shot 39.3 percent (24-for-61) for the game and 20 percent (3-for-15) from beyond the arc. They did hit an impressive 25-for-30 at the free throw line, turned the ball over just 10 times for the game, and got their hands on 16 steals en route to their 10th victory of the season.

Boston College was led by a pair of 20-point games from Cameron Swartz and Marnelle Garraud, combining to shoot 15-for-24 from the floor and 7-for-10 from long-range. Remarkably, the Eagles committed 26 personal fouls and turned the ball over 27 times, further allowing the Tar Heels to get back into it in the late stages of Sunday’s game. With the loss, Boston College falls to 7-3 on the season and 0-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play.

The Tar Heels, now 10-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play, will prepare for their final non-conference game of the season with Alabama State.

Check back with Keeping It Heel for coverage of that game, and everything on the UNC basketball program.