High seeds handle enterprise in ACC quarterfinals
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Hailey Van Lith positively didn’t really feel the early morning rust as she dropped 26 factors, together with 17 of her workforce’s first 20 factors, in Louisville’s 74-48 win over Wake Forest Friday. She was 62.5 % from the 3-point line, as she did most of her injury from there within the first quarter, the place the Cardinals led 20-8 and by no means regarded again. This late-morning win kicked off the quarterfinals of the ACC Match.
Regardless of lacking convention help chief Olivia Miles, Notre Dame was in a position to maintain off NC State, 66-60, who have been additionally lacking Diamond Johnson. Sonia Citron (28 factors, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and two steals) and Maddy Westbeld (15 factors and 10 rebounds) greater than picked up the slack. Notre Dame and Louisville will face one another for a 3rd time this season within the semifinals on Saturday.
Duke edges out North Carolina in triangle defensive slugfest
This sport was a real throwback to blacktop basketball because it was what folks would name a knockout, dragout struggle as Duke Blue defeated their triangle rival North Carolina, 44-40. It was not solely the lowest-scoring sport of this rivalry, but in addition the fewest factors ever scored by a successful workforce within the ACC Match.
“It wasn’t fairly, however we have been in a position to determine a option to get it finished, which is all you want to do in a match like this,” Duke coach Kara Lawson mentioned.
Protection actually did rule the day because the Blue Devils and Tar Heels shot 32 % and 24.2 % from the sector, respectively. Each groups mixed for 31 turnovers as they took turns simply giving the ball away with dangerous passes, every now and then. Duke and North Carolina actually ran down the shot clock on their possessions as they each utilized heavy defensive stress on one another, actually forcing one another into taking dangerous photographs and making ill-advised passes.
The stress was a lot that the rating was 9-8 in favor of the Blue Devils on the finish of the primary quarter. Their 13 turnovers allowed the Tar Heels to take a 24-19 lead at halftime and within the third quarter, it received even chillier as simply because it regarded like North Carolina was about to make it a double-digit lead, Duke as soon as once more turned up the warmth and had two blocks in a row from Reigan Richardson and Elizabeth Balogun to assist make it 30-26.
The Blue Devils finally ended the quarter on a 13-6 run and solely trailed 36-34 initially of the fourth. The physicality didn’t cease as there have been a number of situations of gamers from each groups crashing to the ground for unfastened balls as they mixed for 14 factors in your complete quarter. Ultimately, it was Richardson, Balogun and Shayeann Day-Wilson, who scored on the essential factors.
The final gasp for the Tar Heels was a busted play that wound up in a 3-point try by Kennedy Todd-Williams that was blocked by Richardson with 4 seconds left. After being swept by North Carolina within the common season, they lastly beat them when it mattered probably the most.
“Two actually good groups and an ideal basketball sport in the present day,” North Carolina coach Courtney Banghart. “You by no means wish to be the one which loses, however someway, it’s not likely honest. Somebody’s received to lose these video games.”
Virginia Tech blows Miami off of the ground
This sport was actually over by the tip of the primary quarter, when Virginia Tech led Miami 20-5. Elizabeth Kitley and Georgia Amoore as soon as once more shined for the winners with 22 factors, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks on 55 % taking pictures and 16 factors on 5 3-pointers, respectively.
The Hokies additionally dominated on the boards, as they outrebounded the Hurricanes 50-37 – most notably by way of offensive rebounding 19-13. All in all, Virginia Tech virtually had three gamers with doubles-doubles: Kitley, Taylor Soule (13 factors, 10 rebounds and 5 assists) and D’asia Gregg (9 factors and 13 rebounds).
“They’re very related with one another and what’s occurring each ends of the ground,” Virginia Tech coach Kenny Brooks mentioned. “They’re very happy with what they’re doing, and so they look good.”
Kitley’s publish sport was actually unmatched, as she was typically double-teamed and typically triple-teamed, and but nonetheless managed to struggle her option to the rim for buckets, whereas making nice use of her outside-the-paint shot, as properly.
After they play on Saturday, Duke will certainly have their palms full because the nation’s third-best scoring protection shall be examined by her publish strikes and abilities.
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