UNC roundup: Women’s basketball beats Louisville, hands Cards first ACC loss of season
UNC had a big weekend in women’s basketball and gymnastics, with each team hosting a top competitor. Plus, the wrestling team earned plenty of recognition with the season’s first coaches’ rankings.
Here’s what you might’ve missed.
Women’s basketball upsets Louisville in top-25 matchup
UNC (14-5, 6-1 ACC) handed Louisville (16-3, 5-1 ACC) its first conference loss of the season Sunday. The Heels downed the Cardinals, 79-68, behind a strong second half.
The teams finished the first half tied at 36, but the Heels scored 42 points after the break and held Louisville to 32 second-half points.
Deja Kelly led all scorers with 23 points and six assists. Kelly has scored 23 or more points in four straight games. She added a career-high 14 free throws on 16 attempts.
Alyssa Ustby contributed a double-double, her ninth of the season and fourth in ACC play. Ustby scored 10 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to lead all players.
Lexi Donarski and Indya Nivar both finished in double digit scoring, while Maria Gakdeng and Anya Poole combined for 15 boards.
Carolina commanded the rebounding effort, finishing with 42 total rebounds, including 13 on the offensive end. Louisville ended with just 28 boards and nine on offense.
The Tar Heels remain tied with Syracuse for the top spot in the ACC.
This was their third straight win after picking up a 73-68 victory over Georgia Tech on Thursday, where UNC pulled off a close victory on the road.
Gymnastics falls to NC State in rivalry meet
The Tar Heels lost to N.C. State, 196.225-195.325, at Carmichael Arena on Friday night. Though both programs previously competed, it was their first ACC meet since 1984.
Gwen Fink won the all-around (39.275) title, a career best, and finished in a three-way tie for the individual beam title (9.850). She led the team in scoring on bars (9.825) and beam.
Julia Knower competed in the all-around, as well, and scored a season-high 39.225. She finished with a 9.875 on floor and a 9.825 on bars to lead the Tar Heels.
The Tar Heels continue their season on Friday when they host Clemson. They’ll also have a chance for redemption on Feb. 11, when UNC travels to Raleigh for a second meet against N.C. State.
Wrestlers earn spots in coaches rankings
Six UNC wrestlers earned spots in the season’s first NCAA coaches’ rankings.
Lachlan McNeil (141 pounds) leads the Tar Heels at No. 5 for his weight class. McNeil, the reigning ACC Wrestler of the Week, has earned 17 wins, nine of which came over ranked opponents. He also earned seven major decision wins. He placed fourth at the NCAA Championships last year and earned All-America honors.
Max Shaw (197) earned a spot at No. 17. He has 13 wins this season, including a perfect 11-0 in dual meets. His record boasts three major decisions, two technical falls and one fall.
Both Gavin Kane (184) and Jayden Scott (149) were listed at No. 22. Kane’s resume includes eight wins this season, with four major decisions, while Scott has 10 wins this season, including a win over No. 27 Cody Bond from Appalachian State.
Finally, Spencer Moore (125) and Tyler Eischens (174) came in at No. 30 in their respective weight classes.
Moore picked up two ranked wins earlier this season, defeating Brandon Kaylor from Oregon State and Justin Cardani from Illinois. He is 9-2 on the year and 7-0 in duals.
Eischens comes to Carolina as a transfer from Stanford. He boasts four wins this season, including two by fall.
The Heels open ACC action on Friday at Virginia Tech, before hosting Navy on Sunday for their final non-conference match.
Swimming and diving falls to NC State, UVA
The Carolina men’s and women’s swimming and diving team lost to N.C. State and Virginia this weekend in Charlottesville.
UNC’s men finished 222-131 against Virginia and 258-93 against the Wolfpack. The women fell 272.5-80.5 against the Cavaliers and 196-157 to the Pack.
The Tar Heels picked up two individual wins at the meet. Louis Dramm won the men’s 400-yard individual medley, recording a time of 3:44.41.
Aranza Vazquez won the women’s 1-meter diving (319.40 points) and was followed by teammate Ellie Joyce (276.80) in third place. Vazquez finished second in the women’s 3-meter diving (321.35) behind N.C. State’s Bayleigh Cranford.
