Bailey's Monster Game Sends UNC Over Wake In OT

Sunday, January 14

Winston-Salem, N.C.

12:30 p.m.

North Carolina

13-5 (3-2ACC)

Wake Forest

10-8 (2-3ACC)

OT 1

North Carolina

Wake Forest

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

January 14, 2018 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Final Stats Watch: Bailey's Highlights

By: Mark Kimmel

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - Freshman star Janelle Bailey notched career highs with 30 points and 19 rebounds for North Carolina in a thrilling 79-76 overtime victory over Wake Forest on Sunday afternoon inside Joel Coliseum.

Bailey, already named ACC Rookie of the Week on four occasions this season, was 12-of-18 from the field, was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line and had four blocks in playing a season-high 44 minutes.

Senior guard Jamie Cherry added 20 points for North Carolina, who won its third-straight game to improve to 13-5 on the season, 3-2 against the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Ariel Stephenson led Wake Forest (10-8, 2-3) with 24 points, Elisa Penna had 20 points before fouling out. Alexa Sharp had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

In overtime, Paris Kea (nine points) made perhaps the biggest shot of the game with a three-pointer to put UNC ahead 75-69. Cherry, who was 13-of-14 from the free throw line, iced it with four from the charity stripe in the final 27 seconds.

Bailey got going early with eight of Carolina's first 11 points, but the Deacons countered with an 11-0 run to lead 22-16 after 10 minutes.

A 16-2 run brought the Heels back and would ultimately go ahead 32-27 on a layup from Cherry. Meanwhile, at the other end on defense UNC held the Demon Deacons scoreless for over seven minutes of the second period to take a 32-30 lead going into intermission.

Wake put together a 16-5 run out of halftime to regain its momentum and the lead, 46-37. Coach Hatchell called a much-needed timeout and whatever was said in the huddle worked for the visitors from Chapel Hill. Freshman Leah Church buried a pair of three-pointers during an 11-2 run that tied the game at 48-48 heading to the final quarter.

Carolina appeared in control to win it in regulation with a 66-59 lead with just over three minutes to play, and still was up 67-65, before Amber Campbell's layup with five seconds left tied at 67-67.

Bailey had a jumper hit off the back rim before the buzzer sounded.

Carolina hosts NC State on Thursday at 7 p.m.