As reported by The Associated Press.

Deja Kelly led the charge with 18 points as 20th ranked North Carolina narrowly held onto their lead to defeat Miami 66-61 on Thursday evening.

Kelly scored 5 out of 13 attempts, but missed all 4 of her 3-point attempts for the Tar Heels (15-5, 7-1 ACC). The team has won their last four games and has their strongest start in conference play since the 2012-13 season. She also made 8 out of 10 free throws and was two points away from being the first Tar Heel to score 20 or more points in five consecutive games.

Maria Gakdeng accumulated 13 points before being disqualified for North Carolina, with all five starting players scoring in the double digits. Alyssa Ustby recorded her ninth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. She previously achieved a triple-double in a 75-51 win against then-No. 25 Syracuse. Lexi Donarski and Reniya Kelly also contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Shayeann Day-Wilson sank 5 of 8 from 3-point range and scored 18 to lead the Hurricanes (12-6, 2-5). Jaida Patrick hit two 3-pointers and scored 10, while Lashae Dwyer added nine points off the bench.

Donarski made seven points, Kelly made two 3-point shots, and North Carolina took a 22-8 lead in the first quarter.

Kelly scored a layup that put the Tar Heels ahead by their largest margin of 35-16 with 3 minutes and 48 seconds remaining in the first half. Ja’Leah Williams responded with a 3-point shot, followed by two successful 3-point shots from Ally Stedman and another from Day-Wilson in a 12-1 streak, bringing Miami within 8 points at 36-28 with a minute and a half remaining. The only additional score was from Ustby and at halftime, the Tar Heels were leading 38-28.

In the third quarter, Gakdeng earned six points while Donarski contributed five, allowing North Carolina to extend their lead to 52-39.

Day-Wilson made two successful 3-point shots during a 14-7 rally at the start of the last quarter, bringing the Miami team within a score of 59-53 with 3:55 remaining in the game. A three-point play by Day-Wilson further reduced the Hurricanes’ deficit to 62-59 with only 57 seconds left on the clock. Dwyer managed to steal the ball and score a layup, cutting the Tar Heels’ lead to just one point with 30 seconds left. However, Kelly’s perfect free throw shooting in the final moments secured the victory for the team.

North Carolina emerged victorious in only five out of the past 14 games, however they maintain a lead in the series with a record of 16 wins to 13 losses.

Miami entered the game with the best defense in the ACC, allowing only 57.9 points per game. North Carolina followed closely behind with 59.1 points per game.

On Sunday, North Carolina will be playing against Virginia while Miami will be hosting Duke at home.

Source: wralsportsfan.com