Tar Heels Prevail Over Liberty in Round One

So the first round of the 2015 Women's NCAA tournament is in the books.  And some of the 2nd.  Every ACC team has recorded a victory in the first round including 11 seed Miami and 10 seed Pittsburgh.    On Saturday at 11am, the Tar Heels took on the Liberty Flames.  I knew this was going to be a challenge.  Liberty's front line ranges in height from 6'2" to 6'6" tall and they have multiple players over 6'4" tall.  I knew we were going to need really good guard play in this one because they were going to use that height not only to control the boards; but also to double and triple team Stephanie Mavunga.

We got a little bit of a late start; but we arrived in time for the starting lineups.  This one started out pretty tight.  But then the Tar Heels went on a run and pushed to a double digit lead with their quickness.  Liberty had a decided advantage in the paint with that big talented front line.  I think I mentioned it,  but it can't be said enough...multiple players 6'4" and up.  The Tar Heels did lose the rebounding battle.  But, we won the game.  Final, North Carolina 71, Liberty 65.

 

So what I was hoping for in this one was really good guard play.  We had some great guard play in this game.  Latifah Coleman and Allisha Gray combined to hit 14 of 22 shots and score 32 points.  Brittany Rountree was perfect from the floor.  I wished she had taken more than a couple of shots; but, she also had 5 assists.  Jessica Washington hit 2 of her 3 attempts as well.  N'Dea Bryant and Danielle Butts played well too.  And this was vital because while her numbers were good, Stephanie had a tough day, which makes what she was able to accomplish that much more admirable.  This was a physical game and her work against that front line Liberty rotated in and out was crucial.

 

Stephanie Mavunga: 12 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 blocks (photo from www.goheels.com)

 

Nine rebounds against that front line Liberty had was impressive.  It likely would have been more had there not been notable foul trouble for her in the game.

 

 

N'Dea Bryant: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block (photo from www.goheels.com)

 

Have I mentioned yet how tall Liberty's front line is?  Okay, just checking.  Those were 5 big rebounds for N'Dea.  She was continuously playing someone much taller; and was also in and out of the game with foul trouble; but shot 50%.  With the Flames surrounding Stephanie she was able to get her shot off quite a bit.  A couple went in and came out.  Incredibly athletic too, which helps when you're defending someone 4 inches taller.

 

 

Jessica Washington: 5 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals (photo from www.goheels.com)

 

Continuing on the theme of the game, which was great guard play, I have to say this young lady brought a lot of energy to the court.  Jessica seemed locked in to the mission of the day.  She was really active on the defensive end and with the exception of a play when she was blocked by a screen (which didn't look quite legal, but who am I to say), she stayed with her player well.

 

 

Jamie Cherry: 3 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals (photo from www.goheels.com)

 

Well played.  First NCAA tournament game for the team's only freshman, though I don't think she's still a freshman at this point with all of the experience she has gained so far this season.  This was a balanced, controlled effort for Jamie.  Saw the floor well, was aggressive on defense and delivered the ball to players where they could score.  One was a great pass to Stephanie for an "and 1" play under the basket that ESPN saw fit to highlight. Link: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=12530188&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

 

 

Brittany Rountree: 5 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal (photo from www.goheels.com)

 

Brittany wasn't in double figures today for the first time in a while; but this was a very efficient game for her.  Our friends (if I can call them that) in the striped shirts gave her some trouble; but despite that she put her stamp on this game, made every shot she took including a big three pointer to push the lead back to double digits when Liberty had closed to within 7 points and distributed the ball really well from the 2 spot.



 

 

Danielle Butts: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals (photo from www.goheels.com)

 



This photo epitomizes what I'm going to miss about Danielle whenever this tournament ends.  With help from Jamie Cherry, this is such an aggressive trap.  There's so much energy in it and so much determination in her face.

 

 

Allisha Gray: 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block (photo from www.goheels.com)

 

For evidence of the physicality of this game, you have to look no further than our two All-ACC performers, Stephanie Mavunga and Allisha Gray.  I don't know how they do it sometimes.  They are targeted by the other team's defense game in and game out.  There are times they make it look easy; but that's a testament to how skilled they are.  This game was a real display of Allisha Gray's strength and determination.  No part of her person seemed off limits to Liberty's defenders and space was not easy to come by at any point in the game.  Still a more than valiant effort, 7 of 11 from the floor and a couple of "and 1" opportunities.

 

 

 

Latifah Coleman: 15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals (photo from www.goheels.com)

 

I had mentioned this game might show us North Carolina's quickness against Liberty's height.  Liberty has some quickness as well; but I don't think anyone could keep up with Latifah Coleman on the floor.  On both ends she was just an opponent's nightmare with her ability to get to the rim and finish and her ability to stay low and keep offensive players in front of her.  The camera caught her face on one defensive possession and the intensity in her eyes was just incredible.  I pointed it out to my daughter as I often do when I see an opportunity for a teaching moment.  It was a good conversation.

 

"See, look at her face.  See that determination?"  "Wow, I'm never going to forget her mom."  "That's good. You shouldn't.  You have the privilege of watching determination and faith in action when that young lady is out there leading this team.  We should always remember it."

 



Speaking of faith and determination in action, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention in this entry what so many are talking about, and that is Coach Sylvia Hatchell being back in the NCAA tournament this season.  The College basketball world watched and waited as she battled leukemia all last season and it is no doubt a big motivating factor for the team in this tournament and has been all season.  We're all grateful.  Welcome back to March Madness Coach.

 

 

Coach Sylvia Hatchell (photo from www.goheels.com)

 

So it's on to the 2nd round.  We stayed and watched the game between Ohio State and James Madison and it was a track meet and the score reflected that.  The teams combined for 170 points and really got up and down the floor.  Ohio State won so they will be UNC's opponent on Monday.  The Tar Heels were really efficient offensively in their first round game.  Defensively though it is going to take a bit of a shift as Ohio State will get more from their perimeter players than Liberty.  It will be a test for sure.  Game time is Monday at 6:30.  Until then and always...

 

 

Go Heels!