Women's Hoops Drop One to No. 5 UNC

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Box Score

Women’s Hoops Drop One to No. 5 UNC

12/20/2005

Carla Thomas

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Ivory Latta had 22 points and eight assists as No. 5 North Carolina stayed unbeaten with an 87-67 victory over No. 19 Vanderbilt on Tuesday night.

On the last of her three layups, Latta stole the ball near Vanderbilt’s basket and, as she moved toward her hoop, defender Dee Davis fell on her back trying to keep up.

Latta showed her outside range as well, hitting three 3-pointers in the opening half. Her final one brought the fans to their feet again as she swished a shot from about 24 feet with the shot-clock running down.

Vanderbilt looked as if it had a plan to attack North Carolina when it got quick inside baskets from Carla Thomas and Liz Sherwood to lead 7-2. But then Latta got the Tar Heels going and Vanderbilt could not keep up.

North Carolina led by as much as 32 points in the second half until the Commodores closed the gap in the final minutes.

Latta’s not the only Tar Heel who likes coming to the Grand Strand beach resort area. North Carolina has won eight of its past nine games here and is 13-4 since Hatchell began playing here in 1994.

Five North Carolina players finished in double figures. Camille Little had 14 points and Rashanda McCants, the sister of former Tar Heel Rashad McCants, added 13.

Christina Wirth, Cherish Stringfield and Nicole Jules led the Commodores with 11 points each.