Townsend’s clutch foul shots lead No. 12 Tar Heels to narrow 66-65 victory over No. 10 Wolfpack

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — In a nail-biting finish, Grace Townsend sank two crucial free throws with just 5.2 seconds remaining, helping No. 12 North Carolina secure a narrow 66-65 victory over No. 10 N.C. State on Sunday.

The graduate transfer from Richmond had been struggling at the free-throw line, converting only 63.2% of her attempts this season. However, when it mattered most, she delivered perfectly for the Tar Heels (23-4, 11-3 Atlantic Coast Conference).

After a timeout, N.C. State (20-5, 12-2) had a shot to reclaim the lead, but Aziaha James was unable to navigate past defenders Reniya Kelly and Maria Gakdeng, resulting in a turnover as time expired. The thrilling finish led to an eruption of celebration from the UNC players on the court, especially remarkable given that they played without their leading scorer and rebounder, Alyssa Ustby, who exited the game early due to injury.

Reniya Kelly was outstanding for the Tar Heels, scoring a total of 23 points. Notably, all of Aziaha James’ 16 points came during the second half, showcasing her determination to bring the Wolfpack back into contention.

Key observations from the game showed that N.C. State had been on a formidable winning streak, clinching 16 victories in their last 17 games since November. Meanwhile, UNC had been performing exceptionally as well, winning nine of their last ten matchups, which helped them earn their highest ranking in the AP Top 25 this season.

A pivotal moment occurred when Kelly and Kelsey Donarski hit vital shots to shift momentum. After N.C. State rallied from a 10-point deficit to lead 60-54 in the final quarter, Donarski nailed a 3-pointer from the left wing with 2:17 on the clock. Kelly followed suit with another critical 3-pointer at the 1:39 mark, allowing UNC to stay close, eventually finishing the game with the last six points.

Despite the victory, UNC faced a significant challenge as they were outrebounded 55-35 overall, including an alarming 18-8 disadvantage on the offensive boards, leading to an impressive 18-2 differential in second-chance points for N.C. State.

Looking ahead, both teams will hit the road for their next games on Thursday. The Wolfpack will face off against Georgia Tech, while the Tar Heels will take on Syracuse in their respective contests.