The North Carolina women’s basketball team lost Sunday afternoon in Carmichael Arena to No. 6 Notre Dame, 77-55.
What happened?
The Fighting Irish (18-3, 6-1 ACC) entered Sunday’s game as the heavy favorite. While UNC (12-8, 1-6 ACC) had only one win in the ACC, Notre Dame had just one conference loss coming into the contest. The Tar Heels had to play four near-perfect quarters to stand a chance, but a bad second quarter doomed them.
Paris Kea led the charge in the first quarter and the Fighting Irish did not have an answer. There were four lead changes, but then Notre Dame’s size took over. Junior Brianna Turner posed too great a threat for the Tar Heel defense, putting up 13 points, seven rebounds and four blocks by halftime. She would go on to lead the Irish with 24 points. UNC was down just three points after the first quarter, but Notre Dame outmatched UNC in all phases from that point on.
The Tar Heels missed redshirt senior Hillary Fuller, who was sidelined with a right knee injury. Fuller is out for the season and likely played the last game of her career.
Her absence places immense pressure on UNC’s eight first-years, as Fuller was the team’s only upperclassman and primary big. Despite the hot shooting start, the inexperience inside eventually showed and North Carolina was left with another blowout loss.
Who stood out?
The first quarter belonged to Kea. The redshirt sophomore dropped 15 points in the period, going 7-for-8 from the field. She kept the Tar Heels in the game, as no other player scored more than three points. Kea finished the contest leading the team with 21 points and nine rebounds.
Sophomore Stephanie Watts continued to be a stable force for the Tar Heels. Before exiting in the third quarter with a knee injury, Watts put up 14 points. She took over in the second and third quarters after Kea’s production dropped off.
