UNC finished the first half of Sunday’s second-round WNIT game trailing by nine, 35-26. The Dukes led by as many as 13 points.
The Tar Heels looked flummoxed by Duquesne’s zone defense, and were stripped of the ball trying to break it down with a drive to the basket. 20 of UNC’s 26 points in the first half were scored in the paint.
Both teams finished the first half with 16 turnovers, though freshman Xylina McDaniel accounted for seven of those by herself, losing the ball on a number of over-ambitious post moves. McDaniel also picked up three first-half fouls.
Duquesne was no slouch on offense, either. The Dukes passed well and shot 50 percent from long-rage in the first half, making five 3-point shots, most of them uncontested. UNC made none and shot just 38 percent from the field.
Tierra Ruffin-Pratt and Waltiea Rolle carried UNC in the first half with seven and eight points respectively.
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