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Despite a late comeback, the No. 22 North Carolina Women’s Basketball Team (9-5, 0-3 ACC) lost Thursday to the Miami Hurricanes (9-6, 2-2 ACC) 62-58.

What’s wrong?

After both teams struggled to score on the first possession, Miami’s sophomore guard Ja’Leah Williams completed the first scoring play of the quarter with a quick layup.

Junior guard Alyssa Utzby responded quickly, knocking UNC’s first basket down on the next play with a three-pointer. This was her only UNC lead for the rest of the quarter.

Going into the second quarter, North Carolina continued to struggle offensively despite the Hurricanes amassing 11 turnovers. Senior guard Hannah Cavinder’s back-to-back 3-0 gave Miami his team his 8–0 lead, giving the team his 10-point lead.

North Carolina’s offense saw freshman guard Paulina Parris and redshirt senior guard Eva Hodgson knock down three straight 3-pointers to see UNC eventually take a 26-25 lead. Because I allowed it, I found a rhythm starting at the 3 minute mark.

For the rest of the half, both teams battled for second-chance scoring and crucial offensive rebounds that allowed them a temporary lead. With 43 seconds remaining, junior forward Alexandra Zelaya secured the rebound from a jumper that Atsby missed and threw three more to junior guard Kennedy Todd Williams.

However, in a half defined by a three-point shot, a final three-pointer by senior guard Haley Cabinder at the 17-second mark sent the Hurricanes into the locker room with a 32–30 lead.

Kanes continued to rebound and outshoot UNC. By the 2-minute mark, the North Carolina offense had missed 12 straight shots. On the final shot attempt of the quarter, Miami senior forward Laura Pendande fouled late on him, and junior guard Deja his Kelly on the line. He committed 2 of 3 foul shots and the team finished the quarter with a 7-point lead in Miami’s favor.

The Hurricanes maintained control early in the final quarter. His sophomore guard Jasmine Roberts scored to extend Miami’s lead, but a Kelly-led Tar Heel offense kept the North Carolina team alive. Todd-Williams’ offensive rebound reduced that deficit to one possession game at his 3:32 mark.

UNC’s comeback continued with back-to-back fouls by Cane. Atsby offensively fouled his rebound and missed his throw in the second free to equalize. Tarr his heels made another attempt to tie off Kerry’s 3-point attempt, but the ball failed to connect in the net. After his foul on UNC Miami’s lead extended to his 62-58 and on the team’s final possession, Kelly’s final shot hit the rim.

who stood out

As UNC’s top scorer, Kerry scored 19 points and played 40 minutes. Junior also drew fouls at key moments to keep the team’s chances alive.

The Cavinder Sisters had a great night of shooting, especially from the age of 3, to help the Miami team win. Hayley Kavinder was Kanes’ top scorer with 16 points and he was 4 for 4 at the line.

when did you decide?

After Kerry missed a 3-point attempt to tie the game, the Tar Heels were forced to foul Miami, increasing UNC’s deficit to 4 points with 2.1 seconds remaining.