The UTM Skyhawks came within minutes of their first-ever NCAA Tournament victory Sunday, but ultimately fell short of the UNC Tar Heels, 60-58.
UTM led for the majority of the game, holding an advantage of as much as 18 points.
Senior Heather Butler led the team with 19 points. Her total included three three-point field goals, tying the NCAA record for career three-pointers made at 392. The mark was originally set by Kansas State’s Laurie King, who played from 2002 to 2005.
Butler was joined by freshman Ashia Jones, who recorded 18 points in Sunday’s game. Jones, who was seven for 10 from the floor, added eight rebounds. Senior Jasmine Newsome was held to just eight points.
For UNC, freshman Diamond DeShields put up 15 points despite fouling out with 1:34 remaining. Xylina McDaniel added 14 points and nine rebounds.
“Overall, we did just about everything that we could do in that ball game,” said UTM head coach Kevin McMillan.
After the game, Newsome said that she believed the reason for the loss was more than being outplayed.
“I think the refs made the difference,” Newsome said. “I just think some calls should’ve went our way that they got.”
“We needed to get on the foul line one more time,” said McMillan. “We needed one other little thing to happen, and not a scoreboard coming down, and not an emergency management system pop-in, and not [the refs] going to the monitor.”
McMillan was referring to two incidents that disrupted the game.
Prior to the start of the second half, the large scoreboard above the court began making a buzzing sound that required it to be lowered and repaired, delaying the game by several minutes.
Additionally, with 18 seconds remaining in the game and the Tar Heels up by two, the UNC emergency management system halted the game with an announcement of a developing situation, only to be interrupted with news that the situation had been resolved.
UTM held the advantage from the floor for most of the game, converting 38.3% of their shots (including 31.8% from three-point range); in comparison, UNC made 34.5% field goals (16.7% of three-pointers). On the other hand, UNC outrebounded UTM 41-30, including 15-5 offensive rebounds. Those offensive rebounds translated to 20 extra points for the Tar Heels.
With the victory, UNC advances to the second round of the tournament, where they will face Michigan State on Tuesday. The Spartans won their contest over Hampton earlier the same day by a score of 91-61.
Feature photo: Bradley Stringfield
