Still, we went to the game; so I still wanted to have the entry here. Just in time for the first NCAA tournament game. So of course everyone knows how this game turned out and the highs and lows of the event are well documented. Final, Louisville 77, North Carolina 75 in overtime.
This was the 2nd time playing Louisville this season and it was similar to the first game in a lot of ways. What was good? North Carolina built a double digit lead. North Carolina had four players in double figures and a 5th player had nine points. North Carolina won the rebounding battle 41 to 38 paced by 16 from Stephanie Mavunga. What wasn't good? Allisha Gray fouled out of the contest, the only two times she has fouled out of games as a Carolina player. North Carolina had an atypical (for this season) 21 turnovers in the game. Stephanie Mavunga also fouled out of the game
This was an intense matchup between two really good teams. Each team built significant leads during the game only to see the other erase that lead every time. With 7 seconds to go, Louisville was up three and when North Carolina inbounded the ball and started up the court needing a three point shot, the play didn't look good. But...
Just the way it was drawn up right? Shock ran through the coliseum in a wave and the common sentiment where we were was that we had been given a gift. I just felt we were going to clamp down in the extra period and win. Louisville had the same idea though and at the end we found ourselves in the same spot only down 2, our All-ACC performers disqualified, and the half-court heave that would have won the game this time, was just a bit left. This wasn't for lack of effort for sure. Kind of like both teams couldn't win and unfortunately it didn't go our way.
N'Dea Bryant: 13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 3 steals (photo from www.goheels.com)
Can't say enough about this young lady. Her level of play is a big reason North Carolina has done as well as they have after losing Xylina (McDaniel). The way she has come in and played with intensity and confidence on both ends of the court has shown us all what she was capable of giving every game. Makes fans excited for next season as well.
Jessica Washington: 16 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block, 3 steals (photo from www.goheels.com)
Great game as well from Jessica. She has been staying in her shot more and it shows in her accuracy. She hit three 3 point shots in this game, took care of the ball and gave UNC 30 great minutes. She stepped up big with Latifah Coleman having some health issues during the game. Looking forward to seeing what she will do in this tournament. Jamie played some extended minutes as well. Kind of a rough shooting day for her; but, I never see any fear in her even though she's experiencing these moments for the first time in college. You could see the heartbreak in her face when the game was over; but I hope she always cherishes that great moment. One of the reasons I went ahead and did this entry was to make sure I had a place to go back and watch it myself.
Jamie Cherry: 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists (photo from www.goheels.com)
Stephanie Mavunga: 12 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals (photo from www.goheels.com)
It took some creativity to get these numbers on what wasn't the greatest shooting day for Stephanie. There was a lot of contact on the low block in this game. Stephanie gave as good as she got; but she also took some shots from further away than I like because that was what was available. I have to admire her guts. She played 43 minutes in this game and had over 30 in the game against Georgia Tech. Thankfully no more back to backs. There's at least a day between each game in the NCAA tournament.
Brittany Rountree: 11 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist (photo from www.goheels.com)
Brittany just continues to make things happen. She has really elevated her play the last half of the season. She's been in double figures consistently and is just playing with that sense of urgency you want from a senior leader. She has the distinction of never having missed a single game since the first time she put on the uniform, that's 136 games so far.
Allisha Gray: 7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist (photo from www.goheels.com)
Definitely not one of our star's brightest nights. I wondered if the ankle was bothering her; but she had a big defensive assignment in this one and was really bothered with foul trouble. I expect she's all healthy and ready to hit the court this weekend though.
So our time in Greensboro Coliseum was pretty short this year. My daughter bless her heart takes these post season losses pretty hard. Her own competitiveness combined with her love for the team make these kinds of nights really tough.
But the NCAA tournament is upon and as everyone surely knows by now, North Carolina is the #4 seed in the Greensboro Region. Couldn't ask for more as a fan than to be hosting rounds 1 and 2 and have the Regionals just down I-40 in Greensboro and to be able to have a chance to play in two arenas with which the team is very familiar.
The Tar Heels take the court tomorrow morning at 11:00 against the Liberty Flames. It's going to be quickness against height in this one. Liberty boasts a front line of three players ranging from 6'2" up to 6'6" tall. This will likely be a game where midrange jumpers and 3 point shots are open. Thankfully the Heels have been shooting well. Until then and always...
Go Heels!
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