GREENSBORO, N.C. – More than once this season, they’ve shown their resiliency.
On Thursday afternoon in their ACC Tournament opener, the Hurricanes did it again.
Ninth-seeded Miami, keyed by 10-0 fourth-quarter run, overcame an early double-digit deficit to clinch a 60-59 win over eighth-seeded North Carolina in the tournament opener for both teams.
With the win, the Hurricanes (19-11) advance to Friday’s tournament quarterfinals where they will face top-seeded Virginia Tech (23-6).
Miami had four players finish in double figures, led by Shayeann Day-Wilson, who had a team-high 13 points.
Lazaria Spearman notched her fourth double-double of the season – and second straight – with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, Latasha Lattimore added 12 points and Ja’Leah Williams contributed 11 points, including three on a long first-half buzzer beater that gave the Hurricanes an emotional lift when they needed one.
The Hurricanes also had 16 second-chance points in the win, a number head coach Katie Meier said was essential in helping Miami secure the victory and bolster its NCAA Tournament resume.
Miami’s defense did its part, too, especially in the second half when it held North Carolina to just 3-of-15 from the field in the third quarter and 4-of-15 from the field in the fourth.
“That’s Miami basketball,” Meier said. “That’s why we’re an NCAA team. We always show up in March and we always slam the door on people.”