UNC Basketball comes up short in 2023 opener at Virginia Tech - Keeping It Heel

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The new year started like the old one ended, as the UNC basketball program suffered its third consecutive loss of the season on Sunday afternoon.

Courtney Banghart and the UNC women’s basketball program came up just short on Sunday afternoon, as they suffered a three-point loss to No. 7 ranked Virginia Tech to kick off the new year.

Final

North Carolina Tar Heels

Virginia Tech Hokies

This contest is one that was tight throughout, as neither team led by more than two points after any quarter, and the biggest lead for either side was six.

The game was one that was dictated by some questionable officiating, as the Tar Heels’ dynamic duo of Alyssa Ustby and Deja Kelly were both in heavy foul trouble throughout.

In the first quarter, both Kelly and Ustby had two personal fouls, calls that sidelined the latter for the remainder of the half. It’s important to note that Ustby was leading the Tar Heels with eight points at the time of her departure.

Fortunately, North Carolina was able to keep it close, as foul trouble was something Banghart had to closely monitor.

Down the stretch, Kelly was called for two very questionable offensive foul calls which fouled her out of the game with just under two minutes remaining. With their leading scorer unavailable, North Carolina struggled to put the ball in the basket, as they didn’t score over the final two minutes and 55 seconds of play.

With a chance to take the lead late, Anya Poole had a shot, which was created off a beautiful feed from freshman Paulina Paris, blocked, and on the other side of the floor, Virginia Tech capitalized when Kennedy Todd-Williams was called for a foul on a three-point shooter, providing the Hokies with a lead they wouldn’t relish.

Even while dealing with the foul trouble, Kelly led the Tar Heels with 21 points (her second consecutive 20+ point game). Ustby was rather efficient as well, as she knocked down six of her eight shot attempts for 12 total points.

The standout performer for the Tar Heels was Paris, who tied a career-high with 15 points. After playing just four minutes in the loss to Florida State, the freshman guard did not give Banghart any reason to take her out, as she was confident shooting the ball and made some really nice drives to the basket that ended up resulting in points.

North Carolina will look to end the three-game skid on Thursday night, as they’ll travel to Coral Gables for a battle with Miami. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM EST.

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