The January 12 ACC Women’s Basketball matchups showcased thrilling comebacks, standout performances, and crucial conference victories.
Key Highlights:
1. Duke’s Resilience: Despite trailing for much of the game, Duke’s fourth-quarter surge, led by Oluchi Okananwa’s 17 points, secured a narrow win over Virginia.
2. Historic Comeback by Pitt: Pitt’s second-half dominance erased a massive 31-point deficit against SMU, setting a new NCAA record for the largest regulation comeback in women’s basketball.
3. North Carolina’s Second-Half Surge: UNC overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Boston College, thanks to Alyssa Ustby’s consistent scoring and leadership.
4. Notre Dame’s Balanced Attack: Liatu King’s double-double led Notre Dame past Clemson, maintaining their perfect ACC record.
5. Virginia Tech’s Efficiency: Rose Micheaux’s flawless shooting performance propelled Virginia Tech past Wake Forest.
6. NC State’s Third-Quarter Explosion: A strong third quarter allowed NC State to overcome a slow start and defeat Stanford, with Saniya Rivers leading the way.
7. Louisville’s Ranked Victory: Louisville extended its winning streak with a notable win over #13 Georgia Tech, powered by freshman Tajianna Roberts’ second-half heroics.
8. California’s Defensive Prowess: California’s ability to contain FSU’s top scorer and capitalize on three-point shooting secured their win.
9. Syracuse’s Balanced Offense: Key contributions from Kyra Wood and Georgia Woolley helped Syracuse snap a losing streak with a win over Miami.
Analysis: The day’s games emphasized the importance of resilience, defensive adjustments, and clutch performances. Teams like Pitt and NC State showcased the impact of strong second halves, while others like Duke and Louisville demonstrated the value of key individual contributions in tight contests. The outcomes highlighted the competitive nature of ACC women’s basketball, with several teams making strong cases for postseason success.
