The North Carolina women’s basketball team fell for the sixth consecutive time in conference play, losing 79-61 to Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Thursday night.
What happened?
UNC dug its own grave early, as it allowed Georgia Tech to go on a 22-6 run to close out the first quarter. By the end of the first 10 minutes of action, the Tar Heels (14-12, 4-9 ACC) found themselves in a 26-11 hole.
North Carolina showed more fight in the second quarter, but turnovers allowed Georgia Tech to remain in control. Senior guard Jamie Cherry, redshirt junior guard Paris Kea and sophomore guard Taylor Koenen combined for 13 of the team’s 17 turnovers.
In the first half alone, the Yellow Jackets (16-11, 5-9 ACC) turned nine of the Tar Heels’ giveaways into 14 points. North Carolina also allowed Georgia Tech star guard Francesca Pan to rack up 16 points in the opening half.
Although UNC was down by 21 points at halftime, the Tar Heels clawed back, cutting into the deficit in the opening minutes of the third quarter. A 10-2 run in the first four minutes of the second half brought North Carolina within 13. However, the Yellow Jackets had an answer. Georgia Tech went on a run of its own and extended its lead to 22 points heading into the final quarter of play.
The Tar Heels were in striking distance late — down by 12 points with three minutes left. But the late effort wasn’t enough. Georgia Tech allowed UNC to score just four points over the final 3:10, on its way to a comfortable victory.
Who stood out?
Kea led the way for North Carolina with 15 points on 6-15 shooting. However, she fouled out for the first time all season in the final minute of the game. First-year center Janelle Bailey had her 10th double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
