UNC finished with nearly as many turnovers as made baskets against Louisville Saturday in the ACC Tournament semifinals, falling to the Cardinals 65-57.

After posting a 29-point quarter against Virginia Tech in the quarterfinals Friday night, Carolina managed no more than 17 points in any quarter Saturday. Despite the offensive struggles, UNC remained close thanks to its defense causing Louisville problems of its own. The Cardinals committed 14 turnovers, which turned into 15 Carolina points.

UNC trailed 28-27 at halftime, but used a strong run at the beginning of the third quarter to take what turned out to be its largest lead of the game at 34-30. That lead came at the 7:01 mark of the third quarter, and the Tar Heels would only make one more basket for the rest of the period. Carolina couldn’t keep up with the hot shooting of Louisville’s Imari Berry, who scored 22 points and made four three-pointers. As a team, UNC made only six all game.

Berry’s shooting gave Louisville a 45-40 lead at the end of the third quarter, and that advantage grew to 10 in the final period. UNC never got within five points until the final seconds, when Louisville’s victory was already in hand.

Elina Aarnisalo finished as UNC’s leading scorer with 17 points. Lanie Grant added 11 and Indya Nivar scored 10. The Tar Heels finished just 19-53 (35.8 percent) from the floor and committed 15 turnovers.

Carolina still has not reached the ACC Tournament championship game since 2013. The Tar Heels will enter the NCAA Tournament with a 26-7 overall record. They will learn their tournament seeding and placement next Sunday.

 

Featured image via ACC Women’s Basketball on Twitter

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