The UNC women’s basketball team had one final business trip to make in 2024: a road test against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes on Sunday, December 29.
North Carolina entered tonight’s matchup looking to win its first ACC game, as North Carolina lost its conference opener at home against Georgia Tech.
When the final seconds ticked off the Watsco Center clock, the Tar Heels escaped Miami with a convincing, 69-60 victory.
UNC (13-2, 1-1 ACC) enjoyed a balanced scoring attack from its starters, but the greatest performances came from star forwards Maria Gakdeng and Alyssa Ustby.
Gakdeng collected a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double, shooting an efficient 7-of-11 from the field and making 7-of-10 free throw attempts. Ustby recorded a 19-point, 13-rebound double-double, also shooting an efficient 8-of-16 mark from the field. Ustby made 1-of-2 3-point attempts and 2-of-4 free throws.
North Carolina outscored the host Hurricanes (11-2, 1-1 ACC) in each of the first three quarters: 21-14 in the first, 18-15 in the second and 23-18 in the third. Miami outscored the Tar Heels 13-7 in the fourth quarter, but the game was practically out of reach at that point.
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The Hurricanes’ famous Cavinder twins, who rose to fame as social media influencers, combined for 27 of their team’s 60 points. Haley Cavinder and Jasmyne Roberts each scored 19 to lead Miami.
UNC will return to Carmichael Arena after a week off, hosting one of the country’s elite teams in Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish (11-2, 2-0 ACC), currently ranked third in the country, are led by the dangerous duo of Hannah Hidalgo (25.8 points per game) and Olivia Miles (17.2 points per game).
Can North Carolina stage a massive upset and prove itself as one of the country’s elite teams itself?
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