By: Shanna Rose
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.–The sixth-seeded West Virginia women’s basketball team fell to third-seeded North Carolina 58-47 in a defensive showdown at Carmichael Arena on Monday night in the NCAA Tournament Second Round.
The Mountaineers (25-8) struggled to get going offensively and shot a season-low 24.1 percent from the floor. The Tar Heels (29-7) shot 36.4 percent from the floor for the entire contest.
Jordan Harrison led WVU in scoring with 10 points. Kyah Watson had nine points and 15 rebounds. Sydney Shaw added eight points.
Senior JJ Quinerly was held to just eight points.
UNC held its second consecutive opponent to under 50 points. It is just the second time they have done so and first since 1995.
Alyssa Utsby recorded a career-high 21 points for the Tar Heels. Lexi Donarski and Reniya Kelly both tallied 11 points.
UNC began the game on a 6-0 run and the defensive pressure from both teams was intense right away. The Mountaineers turned the ball over five times in the first quarter were tied 12-12 after one.
The Tar Heels held WVU scoreless for over three and a half minutes and built a 34-21 lead at the half.
UNC outscored the Mountaineers 21-17 in the third quarter before scoring 13 more in the fourth.
WVU finished with 50 wins in the last two seasons, which is third most in program history and is the best start for a head coach.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
