UNC squeaks past 'Pack

Nikita Bell is the type of player who lives for the intensity of overtime play.

Bell capitalized on such an opportunity Sunday, when the No. 8 North Carolina women’s basketball team defeated No. 21 N.C. State 75-72 in overtime.

She proved her ability to execute in those down-to-the-wire moments when she caught Leah Metcalf’s missed layup with about five seconds remaining and put up the tying basket that sent the game into the extra frame.

“She’s a gamer,” said UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell. “She’s an explosive player, too. Nikita’s best when she doesn’t have to think, she just needs to play. … She loves the intense pressure situations. She thrives on them.”

With 10 seconds remaining in overtime and the Tar Heels (22-3, 10-2 in the ACC) up by two, Bell seized a pass from N.C. State’s Kendra Bell and raced toward the basket, only to be fouled by Kendra Bell on the layup.

Nikita Bell only sunk her second free throw, but the shot was enough to seal the Tar Heel victory and was followed by an air balled three-pointer from the Wolfpack’s Ashley Key.

“It was the end of the game and every possession counts, so you want to get in there and at least attempt to get the ball,” Nikita Bell said. “(It’s a) sense of urgency — don’t give up the three pointer, don’t give up a layup.”

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL N.C. State 72 UNC 75

Most UNC students missed the frenzied game, as the risers were half empty and partially occupied by a lounging UNC men’s basketball team.

Total attendance was 5,667, but the prime measure of student attendance — the risers — showed more steel gray than powder blue.

“(Students) don’t understand how much that means to our players,” Hatchell said. “N.C. State had more students here than we did. That hurts (UNC players) when they’re not here. In the locker room, they were talking about it. We have a great team, today was a great game — there’s no reason our students weren’t here.”

The ’Pack (19-6, 8-4) put out what both Hatchell and N.C. State coach Kay Yow described as a “never-die” effort.

N.C. State’s Billie McDowell and Ashley Key were successful in the first half, holding UNC’s Ivory Latta to two points that were scored from the free throw line. But McDowell — the Wolfpack’s top scorer — left the game with a sprained knee after scoring a layup with 18 minutes remaining in the second half and falling near the post.

The absence of McDowell and the fifth foul on starter Marquetta Dickens with 8 minutes remaining in the second half were factors in the revival of UNC’s offense, as the game was tied seven times in the second compared to two in the first.

The Tar Heels also held freshman Khadijah Whittington, who had a career-high 20 points against UNC on Jan. 14, to only four points in Sunday’s game.

“Our coaches did a great job of scouting,” said UNC sophomore Camille Little. “All the coaches talked about how to play each player and the moves they can do.”

Considering N.C. State’s largest lead was seven and UNC’s four, both fought for an entire 45 minutes.

“It’s a typical Carolina-N.C. State game,” Hatchell said. “It’s just a shame that anybody would have to lose this game, because I thought both teams battled extremely hard.”

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.