North Carolina upsets Arizona in women's NCAA Tournament
Mark down another upset in the women’s NCAA Tournament.
Late Monday, fifth-seeded North Carolina dominated fourth-seeded Arizona for long stretches, upsetting the Wildcats, 63-45, in Tucson. Arizona, last year’s runner-up, is the first team from the 2021 Final Four to be knocked out of the tournament.
North Carolina was terrific offensively against Arizona, typically a stout defensive team. The Tar Heels shot 41% from the field — as opposed to Arizona’s 29% — and outscored Arizona 30-18 in the paint. Three UNC players had 12 points or more, led by Kennedy Todd-Williams, who finished with 19 on 7-of-11 shooting. Alyssa Ustby chipped in with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
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Sam Thomas led Arizona with 15 points. Forward Cate Reese, the Wildcats’ best player, scored six points on 3-of-9 shooting, also grabbing five rebounds. Reese returned for the first and second rounds after missing the last few weeks with a separated shoulder, but struggled to find a rhythm Monday.
Arizona tried to make a late run but at that point, the Wildcats had dug such a huge hole it was impossible to come back. UNC’s largest lead of the night was 24, and one point it reeled off 15 unanswered points.
The Tar Heels advance to play No. 1 overall seed South Carolina in the Sweet 16.