No. 12 UNC women’s basketball scrapes by Virginia Tech, 67-62

The No. 12 UNC women’s basketball team (22-4, 10-3 ACC) eked out a win against Virginia Tech (16-9, 7-7 ACC), 67-62, on Thursday night at Carmichael Arena. 

After building a sizable lead in the first half, the Tar Heels found themselves tied in the late stages of the game. But a few key stops and trips to the foul line gave them enough for the win. The close win gave North Carolina its fourth 10-win ACC season in a row.

“It’s hard to win, especially when the momentum is going against you,” head coach Courtney Banghart said. “But these guys just keep finding a way and that’s great.” 

Sophomore guard Reniya Kelly started off the scoring with a mid range jumper from the top of the key off an assist from senior center Maria Gakdeng. 

After Virginia Tech surged to a 7-4 lead, Kelly hit another jumper and graduate guard Lexi Donarski drained two 3-pointers to give North Carolina a 12-9 lead.

“Taking the shots outside opens up lanes for everyone else,” Donarski said. 

The two teams traded baskets — and turnovers — until there were two minutes remaining in the quarter. Off a missed layup by the Hokies, Kelly drove up the paint and found Gakdeng through several defenders for an easy layup. 

This started an 8-0 Tar Heel run punctuated by two straight 3-pointers from junior guard Indiya Nivar and Donarski to give UNC a nine point lead, which North Carolina took into the quarter break. 

The first points for both teams in the second quarter came from the line. More than two minutes in, Virginia Tech hit a long two, which it followed with a banking 3-pointer to bring the score back to six. 

But Kelly answered, pulling up and draining one from downtown. 

Field goal shooting in the second was sparse, with the teams combining for seven turnovers and only 11 made field goals. 

But a few late shots by Virginia Tech brought the Hokies within five at half, 37-32. 

For every North Carolina layup to start the second half, Virginia Tech answered with a 3-pointer, and UNC’s lead was down to three a few minutes in. 

Almost three minutes passed by without a score, but the Hokies continued their comeback with a 3-pointer and a layup. With 2:45 left in the quarter, the score was tied at 43-43. A 3-pointer by Virginia Tech’s Carys Baker gave it the first lead since the first quarter. 

A minute later, first-year guard Lanie Grant stole the ball out of midair at half court and was fouled as she drove to the basket. Grant missed her second free throw, but a jump ball gave the Tar Heels possession. Donarski pulled up for a jumper to give North Carolina a one point lead. 

The lead bounced between the teams into the fourth quarter. With just under five minutes remaining, Virginia Tech had the edge, 58-57.

“I feel like we didn’t have any energy the whole game,” Kelly said. “So I feel like the last few minutes of the game we just needed it and we had it.” 

Graduate forward Alyssa Ustby rounded the 3-point line and handed the ball off to Kelly, who pulled up and drained a 3-pointer to tie the game with 3:58 left. 

A minute later, with the chance to take the lead, Kelly was called for an offensive foul as she drove into the paint. But on UNC’s next possession, Virginia Tech was called for a block, sending Grant to the line, where she gave the Tar Heels a one point lead. 

On the Hokie possession, Nivar grabbed the ball, forcing a jump ball and sending possession North Carolina’s way.

“If anyone would have helped, I would have gotten it to our open shooters on the wing, but the lane was there, so I just kept going,” Donarski said.

With 16 seconds left and up 3 points, Ustby forced a long 3-pointer that fell under the basket, and UNC escaped. 

The Tar Heels will face No 10. N.C. State at home on Sunday at 1 p.m. 

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