UNC could not generate enough offense to run with No. 1 UConn in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 in Fort Worth, TX Friday evening, falling to the undefeated Huskies 63-42. The Tar Heels’ season is over in the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year.
The Tar Heels struggled against a suffocating UConn defense all game, finishing with more turnovers (24) than made shots (17). The 24 turnovers were a season high for Carolina and led to 17 Husky points. Five different Tar Heels finished with at least three turnovers, and the trio of Lanie Grant, Nyla Harris and Elina Aarnisalo combined for 15. Those three players finished with just 13 total points on 6-29 shooting.
As a team, Carolina finished 17-60 (28.3 percent) from the field. Its 17 made shots were its fewest in a game this season, and its shooting percentage was a season low. Indya Nivar did the bulk of the scoring for UNC, finishing with 20 points and eight rebounds in her final collegiate game.
On the other side of the floor, Carolina mostly contained UConn star Azzi Fudd, limiting her to just 10 points. But the Tar Heels had no answer for All-American Sarah Strong, who posted a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds. Off the bench, freshman Blanca Quiñonez scored 16 points.
Carolina led 12-11 after the first quarter, but would only score 13 points across the next 20 minutes of basketball. UConn scored 37 during that time and held a 48-25 lead entering the fourth quarter. The Tar Heels totaled five made shots and 10 turnovers during that 20-minute span.
UNC ends the season with a 28-8 record. The program still has not reached the tournament’s Elite Eight since 2014.
Featured image via Associated Press/Julio Cortez
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