In a game where both teams struggled to manufacture offense, the UNC women’s basketball team held off the Clemson Tigers 59-52 at Carmichael Arena on Thursday night–earning its second straight ACC victory.
Senior guard Jamie Cherry led the way for the Tar Heels (12-5, 2-2 ACC) with 20 points, while freshman forward Janelle Bailey contributed a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Paris Kea–who contributed 14 points to the winning cause–was the only other Tar Heel to reach double figures.
It wasn’t the prettiest of victories, as UNC shot just 28 percent from the floor against a Clemson team which has struggled mightily for most of the season.
The Tigers (10-7, 0-4 ACC) scored just four points in the first quarter and found themselves trailing the Tar Heels 32-15 at halftime. It was the least amount of points a UNC opponent has scored heading into halftime this season.
With the Tar Heels struggling to score themselves, Clemson was then able to claw back within five points during the fourth quarter–refusing to go down without a fight.
UNC managed to hold on down the stretch, however, avoiding a colossal meltdown against an overmatched opponent.
Up Next:
Head coach Sylvia Hatchell and company will return to action on Sunday, when they travel to face Wake Forest. That game is set to begin at 12:30 p.m.
Photo via Jeffrey A. Camarati (UNC Athletics)
