The No. 6-seeded West Virginia women’s basketball team fell to No. 3-seeded North Carolina in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament ending the Mountaineers’ 2024-2025 season.
The Tar Heels started off the game confident with a 6-0 run. The Mountaineers resounded quickly forcing UNC into six turnovers and ending the quarter with a 6-0 run of their own to tie the game 12-12.
The second quarter brought offensive struggles for West Virginia scoring only two points in the paint and putting up only one offensive rebound. Headed into the half, JJ Quinerly struggled going 1-8 from the field with only two total points. Despite the setback, the Mountaineers were able to hold the Tar Heels’ lead to just three at the half.
West Virginia took the lead by two in the middle of the third quarter with an 8-0 run before UNC responded with a 10-0 lead to pull away finishing the quarter up by seven with a score of 38-45. The final ten minutes moved slow for both teams as the Mountaineers battled foul troubles and injury and the Tar Heels struggled with shooting accuracy. Ultimately, UNC pulled away finishing with a final score of 58-47.
Jordan Harrison led the Mountaineers with 10 points. Quinerly finished 2-12 from the field and made none of her attempts from behind the arc. She finished with four personal fouls while Kylee Blacksten reached five, exiting the game.
North Carolina’s Alyssa Ustby headed all scorers with 21 points. She was followed by Reniya Kelly and Lexi Donarski who each put up 11.
West Virginia finishes its season with an overall record of 25-8 while North Carolina improves to 29-7 and will advance to the Sweet 16.
