Tar Heels drop second straight

For the first time since 2004 the North Carolina women's basketball team has lost two games in a row.

Following an embarrassing showing in the Smith Center against No. 1 Connecticut on Monday the Tar Heels blew a 15-point lead in the second half to fall to unranked Georgia Tech 66-62 in Atlanta.

North Carolina which was ranked No. 2 in the polls when they were released Monday" now has dropped its last two and is facing struggles on the court for the first time this season.

""You would think that would motivate us more" especially after getting blown out on our home court in front of 13000 people UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell said.

That would motivate me" but sooner or later players have to make up their mind what they want.""

After winning 17 straight to open the season" only two of those by less than nine points the Tar Heels fall to 1-1 in the ACC and 17-2 overall.

The Tar Heels finished a combined 20-for-52 in Thursday's game against Georgia Tech and only 8-for-23 in the second half.

North Carolina led 31-22 at halftime but a 47.1 percent shooting performance from the Yellow Jackets in the second half — and eight turnovers for the Tar Heels in the last 10 minutes — turned the tide for Georgia Tech.

Rashanda McCants was UNC's leading scorer with 15 points and McCants scored the only three-pointer on six attempts for the Tar Heels in the second half.

McCants was the only starting UNC player to score more than one basket joined by bench players Chay Shegog and Jessica Breland.

It was UNC's lowest point total of the season barring Monday's loss to Connecticut when the Tar Heels lost 88-58.

Georgia Tech sophomore Alex Montgomery stole the spotlight against the Tar Heels — but she did it after missing nine of her first 10 shots.

Montgomery finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds" the highest total of either team. She also scored the 3-pointer with 3:37 left that gave the Yellow Jackets a 60-57 lead.

Georgia Tech would not trail again.

""Maybe I need to start a whole new five. I just don't know" Hatchell said. We will go back and practice at 6 a.m." and we just have to get tougher.""

The last time North Carolina lost two games straight was the end of the 2004 season" when the Tar Heels lost to Duke in the ACC Tournament then their next game to Middle Tennessee in the NCAAs.

The Tar Heels also had lost only 14 games since that mark.

Georgia Tech (14-4 2-2) got 14 points from Jacqua Williams and 12 from Iasia Hemingway.

Georgia Tech had never beaten an opponent ranked above No. 4 before Thursday's game.



Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.