No. 12 North Carolina Secures Fourth Straight Win Over Virginia Tech

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Reniya Kelly scored 20 points, and Lexi Donarski added 15, including a crucial layup with 27 seconds remaining, as No. 12 North Carolina defeated Virginia Tech 67-62 on Thursday night. This victory marks the Tar Heels’ fourth consecutive win.

North Carolina improved its record to 22-4 overall and 10-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Alyssa Ustby contributed to the effort with 16 rebounds and four points, becoming the second player in program history to surpass 1,210 career rebounds, moving ahead of Charlotte Smith.

Carys Baker led Virginia Tech (16-9, 7-7 ACC) with 15 points, shooting 7 of 9 from the field and 3 of 4 from behind the arc. Matilda Ekh added 13 points and three 3-pointers, while Mackenzie Nelson contributed 10 points.

The Hokies built a four-point lead early in the fourth quarter after Ekh hit a 3-pointer and Wenzel made two free throws. However, Virginia Tech struggled late, shooting 1-of-6 with three turnovers as the Tar Heels rallied to score 13 of the game’s last 17 points.

Grace Townsend’s three-point play, followed by Kelly’s 3-pointer, put North Carolina ahead by two points with three minutes remaining. Despite Baker tying it at 62-all with a jumper, the teams failed to score again until Lanie Grant sank 1 of 2 free throws with 1:17 left, securing the lead for the Tar Heels until the final whistle.

Next up, Virginia Tech will host Stanford on Thursday, while North Carolina will conclude its back-to-back home games against 10th-ranked N.C. State this Sunday.

Attendance for the game at Carmichael Arena was 2,502, highlighting the continued support for the Tar Heels this season.