Associated Press
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. ó Purdue finally figured out how to beat North Carolina when it matters most.
Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton and Brittany Rayburn led five Boilermakers in double digits with 18 points apiece, and sixth-seeded Purdue beat third-seeded North Carolina 85-70 on Monday in the second round of the Oklahoma City Regional after losing to the Tar Heels in two of the past three NCAA tournaments.
“They got three fifth-year seniors,” UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell said. “I think that probably really led the way for them and gave them the confidence and stability and the desire and heart and all that they needed to win today. I said earlier … I thought they were better than their record and their seed, and I think they proved that.”
North Carolina (28-7) failed to reach the regional semifinals for the first time in five years. Senior Rashanda McCants, who was coming off a 1-for-9 performance in the first round, had written a reminder to herself on her shoe that it could be her last game. It didn’t help as she went 3-of-15 for six points against Purdue (24-10)
Italee Lucas led the Tar Heels with 21 points, and Jessica Breland added 15.
OTHER NOTABLES
(7) Rutgers 80, (2) Auburn 52
PISCATAWAY, N.J. ó Epiphanny Prince had 27 points as Rutgers (21-12) upset Auburn (30-4) and advanced to play Purdue.
(6) Arizona State 63, (3) Florida State 58
DULUTH, Ga. ó Danielle Orsillo’s 3-pointer gave Arizona State the lead with 32 seconds left against the Seminoles.
PREVIEW
Duke-Michigan State
EAST LANSING, Mich. ó The way Joanne P. McCallie sees it, women won two years ago when she left Michigan State to coach at Duke.
“It’s a neat story for women’s basketball and elevating things,” McCallie said Monday, a day before top-seeded Duke faces the ninth-seeded Spartans in the second round. “I was able to be at Michigan State, leave and get support from Duke with the buyout. Think about that.
“Usually, that only happens for men.”