UNC’s defense held Clemson without a made basket for the final 9:01 of Thursday’s game at Carmichael Arena, and the Tar Heels rode that lockdown performance to a 53-44 win against the Tigers.

In a game where neither team generated much in the way of offense, the Tar Heels practically scorched the nets by outscoring Clemson 19-12 in the third quarter, flipping what had been a two-point halftime deficit into a 41-36 lead entering the fourth quarter. The Tigers buried a three-pointer 59 seconds into the period to cut UNC’s lead to 43-39, but would not find the bottom of the net again outside of free throws.

UNC, meanwhile, put the game away thanks to baskets from Nyla Brooks, Elina Aarnisalo, Indya Nivar and Lanie Grant in the game’s home stretch. UNC made five of its final eight shots after entering the fourth quarter just 17-44 (38.6 percent) from the floor. Clemson finished 13-49 (26.5 percent) and never made more than three consecutive shots all game. The Tigers had taken their largest lead at 32-26 midway through the third quarter, but Carolina proceeded to make six consecutive shots in a game-changing 12-2 run to end the period.

Grant and Nyla Harris combined for 33 of the Tar Heels’ 53 points, with Grant accounting for half of UNC’s four three-pointers. Harris grabbed 10 rebounds to record her fourth double-double of the season and second in the last three games. Defensively, Thursday’s game marked the ninth time this season and third time in ACC play UNC has held an opponent to fewer than 50 points. It was also Carolina’s 10th win in a row against Clemson.

UNC is now 19-5 overall and 8-3 in ACC play, a half-game behind Syracuse for third place in the league standings (the Tar Heels also have the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Orange). Carolina will aim for its seventh consecutive win when it visits Wake Forest Sunday at 2 p.m.

 

Featured image via UNC Women’s Basketball on Twitter

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