Third-seeded UNC met the sixth seed Virginia Tech in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals yesterday evening. The prior matchup of these two teams was a defensive struggle that went to OT, with UNC prevailing 66-63 and blocking two late three-point attempts to preserve the victory. Would the rematch follow suit?
In the first quarter, UNC struggled offensively, with Lanie Grant contributing eight of UNC’s 11 points. The rest of the team went 1-11, and the Tar Heels trailed 16-11 at the quarter’s close.
In the 2nd quarter, UNC played some of its most impressive ball of the season. Defensively, the Heels locked down the Hokies, limiting them to three field goals on 15 attempts and adding two blocks and four turnovers. Offensively, UNC shot a blistering 56% in the second frame, with Elina Aarnisalo a perfect 3-3, with two from range plus two free throws for a total of 10 points. Nyla Brooks added eight points and Nyla Harris added six more to finish the first half with nine. UNC led 40-27 at the half.
The third quarter featured more Lanie Grant, who poured in 11 more points, recording a season-high 21 in only three quarters of play. Six other Tar Heels added buckets of their own. Fouls started to mount for the Tar Heels, though, as the Hokies made 10 trips to the free throw line in the third and matched UNC point for point. UNC led 64-51 after three.
In the fourth frame, UNC leaned on its First Team All-ACC leader, Nyla Harris. Nyla went 4-4, with eight points, four rebounds, and a block, most of it while playing with four fouls. Aarnisalo added six more, and UNC’s defense held Virginia Tech without a field goal the last five minutes of the game to wrap up an 85-68 victory. UNC’s 85 points was the most surrendered by Virginia Tech this season. Grant led the way with 21, while Harris and Aarnisalo contributed 19 and 18, respectively.
UNC next faces Louisville, who stomped Syracuse by 28 in the earlier game. UNC opened conference play against Louisville in their lone matchup, on Dec. 14 at home. The game went to OT, but UNC failed to score in the extra period and lost 76-66. This UNC team has come together over its last 15 games, winning 14 of them and taking #1 seed Duke to the wire at Cameron in a game in which Duke shot 21 free throws to UNC’s zero. Louisville lost two of their last three regular season games, to Virginia and Notre Dame at home, but the demolition of Syracuse suggests a refocused and confident Cardinals team.
The semifinal tips at 2:30 pm.
