The UNC women’s basketball team (5-3) dropped its third game of the season in a 76-69 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes (2-2) in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday.
What happened?
The Tar Heels sprinted out of the gates, scoring the first 7 points of the game on the way to a 16-2 lead. It was an even-handed approach early for UNC, with four different players scoring in that stretch. An Ohio State three-pointer stopped the bleeding for the Buckeyes, who closed the 14-point gap to three by the end of the first quarter. The comeback was keyed by a 9-0 run by Ohio State.
Ohio State tied the game at 21 on a Carmen Grande three-pointer at the start of the second quarter, good for her 10th point of the game. The second quarter was a close affair throughout, but the Tar Heels were able to leave it with a 33-29 lead. Sophomore Janelle Bailey provided a strong post presence, putting up 8 points and hauling in 7 rebounds. The Tar Heels also capitalized on OSU miscues, scoring 18 points off the Buckeyes' turnovers.
Ohio State took its first lead of the game in the third quarter, opening the frame with 5 consecutive points, taking a 34-33 lead on a Carly Santoro layup. Transfer junior Shayla Bennett answered with a three of her to reestablish the UNC advantage.
In another even period, the Tar Heels got a spark from reserve guard Leah Church who recorded a season-high 5 points, all in the period. After falling behind by 4, a Bailey layup brought the Tar Heels back within 2 headed into the final quarter, down 53-51.
When was it decided?
Heading into the decisive frame, neither team could pull ahead. For the first seven minutes, neither team took a lead of more than 5 points, when the Buckeyes lead 61-56. But a Najah Queenland layup just under the three minute mark gave OSU their largest lead of the night.
A Queenland jumper two minutes later gave OSU a 7-point lead, a margin that proved too much for the Tar Heels to overcome as the Buckeyes knocked down their free throws on the way to a 76-69 win.
