Sloppy No. 13 North Carolina holds off Clemson
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Italee Lucas scored 15 points as No. 13 North Carolina overcame a sloppy effort to win its 16th straight against Clemson, 60-47, on Thursday night.
The Tar Heels (22-3, 8-2 ACC) came into this one off their biggest win of the season, a 62-60 victory over No. 5 Duke last Monday night. And North Carolina played most of this one like it was still celebrating.
The Tar Heels had a season-high 27 turnovers, 11 more than their average, and were just 4 of 18 on 3-pointers. Still, it didn't cost them against struggling Clemson (10-15, 3-7), which lost its 52nd straight contest against a ranked opponent.
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Laura Broomfield had 13 points and 11 rebounds for North Carolina. Jessica Breland and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt also had 11 boards for the Tar Heels, who outrebounded Clemson 58-34. Breland finished with 10 points for her double-double.
Sthefany Thomas led the Lady Tigers with 13 points. However, she was 5 of 18 overall and 3 of 13 on 3-pointers against North Carolina's defense.
For North Carolina, things don't get much better than a win over Triangle rival Duke. Plus, the Tar Heels have a key ACC contest with No. 20 Miami on Sunday, so maybe this letdown was expected.
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They had nine turnovers less than 8 minutes in and played with a sloppiness not often seen in coach Sylvia Hatchell's clubs. When Kirstyn Wright hit a 3-pointer with 13:29 to go in the half, Clemson led 10-8.
That's when North Carolina kicked into gear with a 20-7 run over the next 10 minutes to take charge.
Laura Broomfield had an two inside baskets and a three-point play. Lucas added a jumper and a 3-pointer. When She'la White knocked down a jumper, the Tar Heels were ahead 28-17 and cruising.
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Clemson struggled to keep pace. The Lady Tigers shot just 27 percent in the first half (10 of 37) and were outrebounded by the bigger Tar Heels 30-19.
Clemson was probably glad to be within 35-25 at the half. Two weeks ago at Duke, the Lady Tigers trailed 59-12 at the half on the way to 92-37 loss.
North Carolina used a 9-4 run at the start of the second half to lead 44-29 and figured to build on that. Instead, the Tar Heels lost their rhythm and were held to 25 points in the second half.
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The Lady Tigers got as close as 53-44 with 6 minutes left, but could not reel in North Carolina.