North Carolina
12-9, 1-7ACC
Miami
15-5, 4-4ACC
3rd Quarter The Difference As Miami Tops UNC
January 27, 2017 | Women's Basketball
The trio of Paris Kea (26), Destinee Walker (23) and Jamie Cherry (22) scored 71 of North Carolina's 88 points on the night.
Jessica Thomas had 24 points for Miami (15-5, 3-5 ACC). Laura Cornelius had 19 points, while both Shaneese Bailey and Keyanna Harris had 17.
Tied at 44-44 coming out of halftime, Miami made eight of its first 11 shots of the third quarter, and combined with three Tar Heel turnovers, saw the Hurricanes gain control with a 61-50 lead. The ball continued to go through the hoop as Miami outscored Carolina 31-17 in the period, the most allowed by Carolina all season, and led 75-61 going to the fourth.
The lead grew to as many as 17, 78-61, but the Tar Heels had one last rally left in them. Cherry scored on back-to-back possessions to get within 85-76, but Cornelius answered with a three-pointer and Carolina never got closer than 10 over the final two minutes.
An entertaining first quarter saw North Carolina (12-9, 1-7) shoot a sizzling 66.7 percent (12-of-18) from the field. A final seconds layup gave Kea 10 points in the period and the Tar Heels a 27-24 edge over the Hurricanes.
Miami regained the lead briefly in the second, but a 9-0 run put Carolina in the drivers seat with a nine point, 36-28, advantage as Kea continued to knock down shots.
The Hurricanes clawed back into the game, overcoming a 41-34 deficit over the final 2:33 of the first half. A runner from Cornelius just before the buzzer sent the game into the break tied, 44-44.
The Tar Heels enjoyed the upper hand for most of the first half with Miami leading by no more than two points. Kea led all scorers with 18 points, while Bailey paced the home team with 15.
Miami (52.8 percent shooting) is the first team to eclipse 50 percent shooting in a game this season against the Tar Heels, who finished at 50.8 percent.
Carolina hosts No. 18 NC State on Sunday at 3 p.m.
