University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Virginia Tech
#13 UNC Runs Past Virginia Tech
February 8, 2015 | Women's Basketball
North Carolina (19-5, 6-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) received a balanced scoring attack with five players in double figures, led by Rountree's 15. Allisha Gray added 13 points, Jamie Cherry had 11 points in her first career start and both Stephanie Mavunga and Latifah Coleman tossed in 10 points.
Samantha Hill paced Virginia Tech (10-14, 1-10) with 11 points, while Taijah Campbell had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
A 20-4 run by Carolina out of halftime broke open a 36-33 game at the half. Cherry scored six points in the stretch to lead the Tar Heels.
UNC's domination continued through the second half. Rountree's third of four three-pointers in the half extended the lead to 68-46, the largest advantage of the game.
A steal and score by Coleman and two free throws from Jessica Washington put Carolina up 12-5 at the 13:34 mark of the opening half.
The Hokies tied things up 18-18, before Coleman scored the next five points for the Tar Heels.
After struggling from the field for the better part of 12 minutes, Carolina knocked down five-consecutive shots, the last a three-pointer from Cherry, to give the visitors a 31-24 advantage.
Gray shook loose for a wide-open trey on the wing for a 36-26 Tar Heel lead, but the Hokies scored the final seven points to make it just a one possession game at intermission.
After the game, UNC head coach Sylvia Hatchell shared a few thoughts on the passing of Dean Smith.
“He was the reason why I wanted to be the women's coach at North Carolina because I loved how they played,” said Hatchell
“One of the greatest compliments I can give Coach Smith is how he changed as the game changed. When they added the shot clock and took away his four corners, which he and Phil Ford had made so famous, he adjusted. When they put the three-point shot in he adjusted. He was always changing and adjusting to the rules and I think that's why he was such a great coach.”
“The life lessons well outnumbered the basketball lessons he taught his players. He did so much for the game. I'm just proud that we share the same birthday - February 28. He was 21 years older than I am.”
“When I arrived on campus they moved to the Smith Center so I sat in his chair for about 25 years. I used that chair for along time. He probably used that chair for 20 plus years also.”
“Anytime I needed anything about a recruit or anything like that he was always accomodatinog.”
“Coach Smith set the bar so high and he brought out the best in everyone because he set the bar so high and he would not accept anything less than that. One of the greatest things you can have in life is have someone make you do things that you won't make yourself do. I think he did that a lot and made his players get out of their comfort zone, whether it was the basketball court or in life in general.”
UNC hosts No. 9 Florida State on Thursday at 7 p.m. on Regional Sports Network and ESPN3/WatchESPN.
