UNC Women’s Basketball battles for win over No. 18 Oregon

Another career day from Eva Hodgson helped the UNC women’s basketball program battle back for a huge victory over No. 18 ranked Oregon. 

The beginning of the Phil Knight Invitational opener against No. 18 Oregon didn’t go as Courtney Banghart and the UNC women’s basketball program planned.

Right away, the Tar Heels found themselves down 7-0 in the first quarter, as they would battle back to cut the deficit.

This became a trend throughout the game, as North Carolina had to battle back on multiple occasions to secure the victory.

Final

Oregon Ducks

79

North Carolina Tar Heels

85

The Tar Heels held the lead just once in the first half, as they faced a five-point deficit heading into the second half. A strong third quarter helped them regain the lead, as a Paulina Paris buzzer-beater gave North Carolina the first lead of the half.

Last play of Q3 ⤵️ 😤 pic.twitter.com/oyBh3ynoFG

— Carolina Women’s Basketball (@uncwbb) November 24, 2022

However, it wouldn’t last long, as Oregon got hot to start the fourth quarter. It appeared as if the Ducks were ready to run away with this one, but the Tar Heels had other plans.

Behind a stellar second-half outing from Eva Hodgson, North Carolina found a way to not only fight back into the game but take full control of it. After scoring just four points over the first 20 minutes of play, Hodgson scored 17 second-half points en route to a new career-high 21 points.

4 point play by Eva Hodgson 🤩 #ncaaw #goheels pic.twitter.com/lBmFYhy8S9

— WNBA Got Game (@wnbagotgame) November 25, 2022

Hodgson made five shots from the floor, all from beyond the arc. The four-point play (as seen above) ended up being a major turning point in the game’s outcome.

Alyssa Ustby was just as important in the win, as she scored 19 points while hauling in eight rebounds. Classmate Deja Kelly scored 17 points and facilitated the Tar Heels’ offense nicely with seven assists, which was just one shy of her career-high.

This was certainly a gutsy performance from the UNC women’s basketball program, as they’ve clinched their spot in Sunday’s Phil Knight Invitational championship game. The Tar Heels showed a ton of grit, as they simply made you feel confident that they could battle their way back from any deficit.

A HUGE win and tons of fight by the Tar Heels tonight against #18 Oregon! 💪👏

Rewatch all the top plays in tonight’s highlights ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ie39b1VKu1

— Carolina Women’s Basketball (@uncwbb)