After a blow-out loss to unranked Pitt earlier this week, No. 8 North Carolina women’s basketball needed some redemption. They got just that Sunday afternoon with a 96-81 win over Georgia Tech at Carmichael Arena to give head coach Sylvia Hatchell her 950th career win. The Tar Heels are now 15-2 on the season and 2-1 in the ACC. With the loss, the Yellow Jackets fall to 12-6 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
Carolina was led in scoring once again by sophomore standouts Stephanie Mavunga and Allisha Gray. The duo combined for 35 of Carolina’s points as well as 21 rebounds.
The high-scoring game was a confidence booster for UNC – all but one active player scored for the Tar Heels, creating 38 much needed points from bench players including nine from junior Hillary Fuller.
“Fuller is tough, now, and she’s just going to get better and better,” Coach Hatchell said. “She loves the contact and she won’t flinch a bit, she just loves it. And I call her ‘Mayor’ because she’s just like, ‘what do you need me to do?’ She doesn’t have to get the praise or anything she’s just like ‘Coach. What do you need me to do?’”
Carolina began the game at a sluggish pace, missing numerous opportunities to score in transition and clinch a large early lead. Finally, UNC found its rhythm and prevented Georgia Tech from playing a game of catch-up, led by one of two triples knocked down by sophomore Jessica Washington, who scored a career high 16.
Washington, along with Junior N’Dea Bryant, saved the Tar Heels’ offense when Mavunga hit her first half shooting slump at only 2-8, reminiscent of her struggles under the basket at Pitt.
“I do agree that we have to step up a lot more,” Mavunga said. “We’re still adjusting (without Xylina McDaniel) for sure, but I think we’re bouncing back slowly but surely.”
The largest lead of the half was set at 17 and Carolina led 50-35 at intermission.
Georgia Tech never recovered thereafter, only coming within 13 points after a made freethrow by Zaire O’Neil with less than 8 minutes remaining in the game. Tech’s leading scorer, Kaela Davis, fouled out minutes later and was held to only 6 points. As a sophomore, Davis averages 20.7 points per game and is on track to become the fastest player in school history to reach 1,000 points.
The Yellow Jackets were led in scoring by junior Aaliyah Whiteside with 22 and Roddreka Rogers with 13 points and 11 rebounds, notching her 5th double-double of the season.
UNC is set to host a tough match against No. 4 Notre Dame this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. The Fighting Irish is also 15-2 this season.
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