Keeping It Heel
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UNC Women’s Basketball falls apart in overtime loss

By Nick Delahanty

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA - JANUARY 12: Paulina Paris #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels handles the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on January 12, 2023 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA - JANUARY 12: Paulina Paris #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels handles the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on January 12, 2023 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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The UNC women’s basketball program couldn’t hold on to a late fourth-quarter lead, as they suffered an overtime loss to NC State on Thursday night.

With 4:15 left to play in the fourth quarter, it appeared as if the UNC women’s basketball program was set to take home a victory.

However, NC State had other plans.

442. Final/OT. 66. 441. 77

The Wolfpack were able to erase a 10-point deficit to force overtime, as they earned some revenge by beating the Tar Heels in the rematch between the two squads. This overtime contest was the first that either program has played this season.

NC State outscored North Carolina 32-11 to close out regulation and throughout overtime, as the Tar Heels were completely overmatched in the extra period. The Wolfpack’s full-court pressure gave the Tar Heels trouble, as some sloppy basketball definitely hurt North Carolina in this one.

The Tar Heels, who were once again without Alyssa Ustby and Eva Hodgson, were well in control of this game, but let it slip out of their hands. Down the stretch, fatigue definitely kicked in, as some players were called upon for much more minutes given the team’s current available depth.

Deja Kelly led the Tar Heels with 18 points and eight rebounds, while freshman Paulina Paris came off the bench and contributed 14 points of her own. Although she didn’t shoot the ball well, Kennedy Todd-Williams contributed 11 points and eight rebounds in the loss.

North Carolina had plenty of chances to win this game. In fact, this is the type of loss that definitely doesn’t sit right, given the 10-point lead they possessed with just over four minutes to play in regulation.

The Tar Heels didn’t shoot the ball well from deep or from the free throw line, and their 19 turnovers leave a lot of room for improvement. However, NC State deserves a lot of credit, especially on the defensive end of the floor, as they held North Carolina from scoring a field goal in regulation until there was about 20 seconds left in the extra period.

It’s a frustrating loss, but it’s one the Tar Heels can avenge in the near future as they return home on Sunday to host Wake Forest.

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