The No. 16 North Carolina Tar Heels caged the Boston College Eagles in an 80-52 win at Silvio O. Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, Mass. on Thursday.
With the win, North Carolina head coach Sylvia Hatchell earned her 900th career victory during a career that has spanned 38 years and counting.
Hatchell became only the third women’s basketball coach to reach the milestone, next to former coaches Pat Summitt (Tennessee) and Jodi Conradt (Texas), and ahead of current Rutgers coach Vivian Stringer.
McDaniel leads coach to victory
Five-time Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Rookie of the Week Xylina McDaniel led North Carolina’s offense, finishing with 15 points and seven rebounds followed by contributions from guard Tierra Ruffin-Pratt (14 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) and forward Krista Gross (12 points, 8 rebounds).
The Eagles (9-13, 3-8) were led on the score sheet by freshman Nicole Boudreau (16 points, 1 rebound), Kristen Doherty (13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists), and Katie Zenevitch (7 points, 6 rebounds).
The Tar Heels (21-3, 9-2) looked to come out fast against the Eagles after a demoralizing 84-63 loss at home to No. 5 Duke on Sunday, which delayed Hatchell’s historic moment to take place four days later and on the road.
Never in doubt
After taking the first eight minutes of the game to measure up and match the Eagles’ energy while holding a four-point lead, 15-11, the Tar Heels created a substantial deficit that Boston College could never overcome.
Leading 33 points with just under eight minutes to play in the second half, the win was never in doubt and allowed the Tar Heels to get back on the winning track quickly while vaulting their coach up to the historic win mark.
“900 means I guess that I’ve been around - I’m not saying I’m getting’ old because I don’t feel old at all,” Hatchell stated after her team’s 72-62 win over Florida State last week.
“I don’t feel old at all. I can’t believe that I’ve coached this long. It is a special group and I’m really enjoying being around these kids.”
Carolina Women's Basketball Network
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