UNC made a program-record 16 three-pointers and shot 58 percent from the field in an 82-70 win at Virginia Thursday night. The victory clinches a double bye to the quarterfinal round of next week’s ACC Tournament for Carolina. It’s just the second time the Tar Heels have earned a double bye under head coach Courtney Banghart.

The threes rained early and often for the Tar Heels, who made three in the first quarter on their way to a 15-8 lead. Carolina had opened the game on a 9-0 run, holding Virginia without a point for the first 4:13 of game time.

The UNC lead continued to balloon in the second, as Nyla Brooks made three threes in less than four minutes. Elina Aarnisalo joined in the fun with back-to-back makes late in the quarter, and the Tar Heels led by as many as 19 points at 40-21. Aarnisalo had 10 points, four rebounds and four assists at halftime, and Carolina was shooting 8-12 (66.7 percent) from downtown.

That pace somehow did not slow down in the second half, as Ciera Toomey, Lanie Grant and Aarnisalo all continued the long-range assault. Virginia found its footing and cut the deficit to 11 points in the final two minutes of the third quarter, but Carolina’s red-hot offense ensured the Cavaliers never made any serious pushes. Back-to-back threes from Laila Hull in the fourth quarter and seven consecutive points from Aarnisalo down the stretch staved off any hopes of another massive Virginia comeback. The Cavaliers had upset the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill after trailing by 16 in the first half last season.

For the game, UNC shot an eye-popping 16-24 (66.7 percent) on threes and 29-50 (58 percent) overall. Aarnisalo’s 20 points were a career high, and her 13 total shot attempts led the team. Her seven rebounds were also her most in ACC play this season. Grant poured in 15 points, while Brooks, Toomey and Nyla Harris each also reached double figures. Five different Tar Heels made multiple threes and four made at least three, with the quartet of Grant, Aarnisalo, Hull and Harris combining to shoot 13-17.

Thursday’s win improves UNC to 24-6 overall and 13-4 in ACC play. It’s the first time ever Carolina has won 13 ACC games in consecutive seasons. The Tar Heels will wrap up the regular season Sunday when they host No. 12 Duke Sunday at 12 p.m.

 

Featured image via Associated Press/LM Otero

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