A North Carolina freshman forward finished Friday’s game perfect from the field and perfect from the foul line, in addition to tying a career high in rebounds.
One might assume that player to be Erlana Larkins, who has garnered national attention with her lofty shooting percentage and domination in the paint this season.
But instead, it was UNC’s other rookie post player — LaToya Pringle — who filled that description against Virginia Tech at Carmichael Auditorium. She made all five field goals and all six foul shots to finish with an ACC career-high 16 points in just 16 minutes off the bench.
Pringle’s performance helped explain why she has seen her role increase for the surging Tar Heels. Though she played just three minutes against then-No. 1 Duke on Jan. 24, her 16 minutes against the Hokies was the most she’s played in an ACC contest.
Coach Sylvia Hatchell even tapped her as the first post player off the bench Friday, a role senior Kenya McBee primarily has served in this season.
“She’s really been playing well and pushing us to play her more,” Hatchell said. “We’re just trying to get her defense a little bit better. But she’s been doing a nice job for us coming off the bench.”
Pringle entered the game with 13 minutes to play in the first half, subbing for Larkins with the Tar Heels trailing 17-12.
When play resumed after UNC guard La’Tangela Atkinson missed a free throw, the Tar Heels earned the rebound to give them another opportunity to cut into the Va. Tech lead. On that possession, Nikita Bell found Pringle in the post for a layup to cut the deficit to five.
About a minute later, Bell found Pringle again for an easy layup. That basket tied the game at 19, and the Tar Heels earned the lead permanently shortly thereafter.
