Despite a spirited effort on Sunday afternoon in front of the home crowd at Carmichael Arena, the UNC women’s basketball team fell short in its attempt to upset the No. 5 Louisville Cardinals–who held on for a 74-67 victory.

Louisville (18-1, 7-0 ACC) led 62-45 entering the fourth quarter, but the Tar Heels (13-5, 4-3 ACC) reeled off a 14-1 run to close that gap down to just four points late in the game.

The Cardinals managed to keep UNC from ever taking the lead, however, preventing what would have been the biggest victory to date in the first year under new head coach Courtney Banghart.

“What a bummer,” Banghart said after the game. “I just told the team in the locker room I’m disappointed for them and with them. We just didn’t play well enough to beat a good team. The first half we just totally were unglued defensively – that wasn’t the team you’re used to seeing. Offensively, we were really rattled. In the second half we executed well on both ends. I have a group of fighters.”

Seniors Taylor Koenen and Medinah Muhammad led the Tar Heels with 17 points apiece. Junior forward Janelle Bailey finished with 16 points as the only other UNC player to score in double figures.

Louisville received a game-high 22 points from junior guard Dana Evans.

Up Next:

The Tar Heels head to Atlanta for their next game against Georgia Tech on Thursday. Tip-off for that one is set for 6 p.m.

 

 

FINAL BOX SCORE

 

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

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