A career-high 26 points and eight rebounds from guard Shayla Bennett on Sunday weren't enough to carry the UNC women's basketball team in its 76-70 loss to Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.
What happened?
The momentum shifted between the Tar Heels (11-3, 2-1 ACC) and the Hokies (11-3, 1-2 ACC) the entire game. Each time one team was able to create some separation on the scoreboard, the opposing squad would claw its way back into the competition.
North Carolina jumped out to an early 15-9 lead in the first quarter behind six points from Bennett and another six from first-year forward Malu Tshitenge.
However, a quartet of turnovers and a barrage of missed shots saw that lead quickly vanish, and the Hokies marched ahead, 24-21, midway through the second quarter. Despite coming multiple close encounters, the Tar Heels wouldn't take the lead back for the rest of the game.
A missed jumper from Bennett in the closing seconds of the second quarter meant North Carolina faced a 36-32 deficit at halftime. UNC had just five players record points in the first half compared to seven for Virginia Tech.
Bennett's 10 points and five rebounds were both team-highs at the break. Junior forward Trinity Baptiste led both squads with 14 first-half points on 6-11 shooting from the field.
The Hokies blew the game open in the third quarter when they opened with an 18-4 run to extend their lead to 54-36, the largest deficit the Tar Heels have faced this season.
A timeout allowed UNC to gain its composure before North Carolina responded with a balanced scoring effort from four starters to cut Virginia Tech's lead to 58-49 heading into the final quarter.
