Despite trailing Colorado by as many as 18 points just before halftime on Sunday afternoon at Carmichael Arena, the UNC women’s basketball team put together a ferocious second-half rally to force overtime–and then ultimately defeated the Buffaloes by a score of 87-80.
The Tar Heels (1-1) were led by their star backcourt of Paris Kea and Jamie Cherry–as the two Preseason All-ACC selections combined for 54 points, 14 assists, nine rebounds and five steals.
Kea accounted for a game-high 28 points and nine assists herself, but it was Cherry who sank what was perhaps the most important shot of the game.
With a knack for making clutch shots in her career, Cherry did it again on Sunday–as her three-pointer with 18 seconds remaining gave UNC a two-point lead.
Aubrey Knight countered with a lay-up on the other end for Colorado (1-1), however, which sent the game to overtime.
Colorado also got 24 points from All-Pac 12 Guard Kennedy Leonard and 16 points from Alexis Robinson.
In the extra period, Kea opened up scoring with a nice drive to the basket and the Tar Heels never looked back–holding onto the lead the rest of the way.
It was the largest comeback head coach Sylvia Hatchell’s squad has had since 2014, when UNC again dug out of an 18-point hole in its NCAA Tournament First Round matchup against UT Martin.
Up Next:
UNC returns to action on at Carmichael Arena on Thursday, Nov. 16 when it hosts Radford. Tip-off that night is set for 6 p.m.
Photo via Jeffrey A. Camarati (UNC Athletics)
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