In a thrilling showdown at Cassell Coliseum, No. 22 North Carolina pulled off a gritty comeback to edge out Virginia Tech, 66-63, in overtime. Despite a rocky start, where the Tar Heels hit only five of their first 23 shots, they found a way to clinch victory in a nail-biter that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Virginia Tech, sitting at 20-8 overall and 10-6 in the ACC, seemed poised for a win. They held North Carolina to a mere 5-of-23 shooting in the first half and built a solid lead with a 16-3 run. Hokies' guard Carleigh Wenzel was sidelined with two fouls early, but the bench stepped up, maintaining momentum and extending their advantage.
However, basketball is a game of runs, and North Carolina proved just that. The Tar Heels, now 22-6 overall and 11-4 in the ACC, battled back in the fourth quarter.
A pivotal layup gave them the lead with just under four minutes to go, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Virginia Tech's Samyha Suffren hit a crucial and-one layup to regain the lead, but the Tar Heels answered with a three-pointer.
Suffren tied it up again with a layup, pushing the game into overtime.
In the extra period, North Carolina was more efficient, shooting 2-for-5, while Virginia Tech struggled at 2-for-12. The Tar Heels' clutch free throws in the final moments sealed the deal, showcasing their poise under pressure.
Virginia Tech head coach Megan Duffy reflected on the missed opportunities, emphasizing the importance of execution in crunch time. Despite leading for over 30 minutes, the Hokies couldn't close it out, missing crucial shots in the final minutes.
Suffren and Carys Baker led the Hokies with 15 points each, while Wenzel added 14. Kilah Freelon contributed significantly with six points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks, demonstrating her defensive prowess.
For North Carolina, forward Nyla Harris was a force with 15 points and nine rebounds. Guards Elina Aarnisalo and Lanie Grant added 13 and 12 points, respectively, while Indya Nivar chipped in with 10.
This game was a preview of the intensity to come as both teams prepare for the ACC and NCAA Tournaments. With North Carolina projected as a No. 5 seed and Virginia Tech on the No. 10 line, according to ESPN's Charlie Creme, both teams are gearing up for a strong finish to the season. Next up for the Hokies is a home game against Georgia Tech, offering another chance to fine-tune their play before the postseason battles begin.