Keeping It Heel
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Dominant fourth quarter guides UNC Women’s Basketball to victory

By Nick Delahanty

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - DECEMBER 01: Kennedy Todd-Williams #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a play during the second half in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on December 01, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - DECEMBER 01: Kennedy Todd-Williams #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a play during the second half in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on December 01, 2022 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Powered by a strong start to the fourth quarter, the UNC women’s basketball program picked up its sixth straight victory on Thursday night.

The double-digit margin of the final score doesn’t tell the true tale of the UNC women’s basketball contest on the road against Pittsburgh.

72. 441. 57. 444. Final

It was a very close game between the two ACC foes through three-quarters of play, as Pittsburgh actually held the lead for most of that time. However, the Tar Heels flex their muscles to end the third quarter and rode it into the start of the fourth quarter to take over control of the game.

Behind a 22-1 run that bridged the two quarters (including a 17-1 run that began the final quarter of play), the UNC women’s basketball program earned its sixth straight conference victory.

Without starter Eva Hodgson, who was out due to what was described as a “Non-Covid illness,” the Tar Heels “Big Three” of Deja Kelly, Kennedy Todd-Williams, and Alyssa Ustby once again carried the load offensively.

For the second straight game, Kelly and Todd-Williams both scored more than 20 points. After a hot start early on, Kelly led all scorers with 23 points, while Todd-Williams contributed 22 points of her own. If you add Alyssa Ustby’s 16 points, the trio combined for 61 of the team’s 72 total points.

In that strong fourth quarter, North Carolina shot a staggering 75% percent from the floor. They were also very effective at the free-throw line, connecting on 18 of their 19 total attempts.

Of course, there’s plenty of room to grow from this one. Pittsburgh’s zone defense did provide some problems for the Tar Heels, as they did turn the ball over 16 times. That, along with some offensive struggles in the second and third quarter, essentially helped keep the Panthers in the lead.

However, the comeback was definitely encouraging, as this team continues to prove that they are capable of getting themselves back into games.

Riding a six-game winning streak, the UNC women’s basketball program is once again on the road on Sunday afternoon as they’ll take on Clemson.

Next. Simeon Wilcher stars in win for Roselle Catholic. dark

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