University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Fall To Swiss In Thriller, 91-87
May 23, 2008 | Women's Basketball
May 23, 2008
RUNNEN, Switzerland --- Rashanda McCants scored 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds, but North Carolina fell to the Swiss National Team, 91-87, Friday night at the Brunnen Sporthalle. Karen Thwehues scored 32 points on a 13-of-26 shooting to lead the Swiss. Carolina trailed by 14 at halftime before a furious third-quarter rally made for a tight finish.
The first quarter was back-and-forth throughout with neither team leading by more than four, and the teams entered the second quarter knotted at 17. The Swiss came out hot in the second quarter, shooting 15 of 21 from the field, and build a double-digit lead. After Sabrina Dealbi tied the score at 32, a Thwehues three ignited a 22-8 run that saw the hosts take a 54-40 lead into the locker room.
Carolina battled back in the third thanks to eight points from McCants. The Tar Heels outscored the Swiss 28-16 in the frame to pull within one at 70-68.
A Heather Claytor three-pointer just seconds into the fourth quarter gave UNC its first lead of the second half at 71-70. It was close the rest of the way, but the Tar Heels looked to be in control when a Jessica Breland put back gave Carolina an 87-83 led with 1:50 to play. After a Thwehues bucket cut the gap to two, Bettina Mueller sunk threes on back-to-back possessions to give the Swiss the win.
Claytor and Italee Lucas each had 14 for the Tar Heels, who also got eight points and eight rebounds from Iman McFarland. Marielle Giroud had the game's only double-double, as the Swiss standout finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Friday's game was the last of the trip for Carolina, which will conclude its tour in Munich early next week.
