March Madness 2022: Aliyah Boston, South Carolina top North Carolina 69-61 in Sweet 16

Aliyah Boston’s dominance within the NCAA Match has reached ranges not seen in a half-century.

Boston had 28 factors, together with all 13 for top-seeded South Carolina within the fourth quarter, and 22 rebounds to ship the Gamecocks to the Elite Eight with a 69-61 victory over North Carolina on Friday evening.

Alongside along with her first-ever 20-20 recreation in three faculty seasons, Boston was the primary participant — male or feminine — to have 25 or extra factors, 20 or extra boards and shoot higher than 90% on the foul line since UCLA’s Invoice Walton did it in 1972 Ultimate 4 in opposition to Louisville, in response to Stats Carry out.

It is a relentless angle to succeed that Boston has maintained all yr.

“Simply protecting dominance on my thoughts,” stated Boston, who was 12 of 13 from the foul line and had her twenty seventh straight recreation with a double-double.

And within the closing quarter as No. 5 seed North Carolina minimize a 13-point result in 4, Boston frequently bailed the event favorites out of bother.

Gamecocks coach Daybreak Staley stated it was merely the most effective participant within the recreation enjoying her greatest at crucial time.

“She’s been that for us all season lengthy, however she confirmed up on the largest stage on the largest recreation,” Staley stated. “

The Gamecocks (32-2) will tackle Tenth-seeded Creighton within the Greensboro Area for a spot within the Ultimate 4 on Sunday. It is South Carolina’s fifth Elite Eight prior to now eight NCAA Tournaments.

Deja Kelly led North Carolina (25-7) with 23 factors. It was not sufficient to decelerate Boston’s drive to win.

Carlie Littlefield made a 3-pointer from the appropriate nook to attract North Carolina inside 63-59, however Boston grabbed Zia Cooke’s missed shot — her eleventh offensive board — obtained fouled and made each free throws.

Anya Poole’s layup made it 65-61 with 2:04 left for UNC. Boston made an inside bucket a minute later, then closed issues out with two foul pictures with 18.4 seconds left for the ultimate margin.

The Gamecocks have been significantly dominant on the boards, topping North Carolina 47-33 total and 24-7 on the offensive glass.

“I believe their offensive rebounding simply harm us,” Kelly stated.

The Gamecocks had struggled capturing in current video games, one thing that continued on this one as they completed 33.8 % from the sector — their fourth straight recreation going lower than 36% from the ground.

However their surging protection did not allow them to down, significantly within the second quarter after they held North Carolina to 1-of-9 capturing and improved their lockdown in opposition to opponents in that interval of the NCAA Match to 1 of 31 after three video games.

North Carolina tried to pack the center to fight Boston and South Carolina’s massive edge down low. Cooke and Henderson made the Tar Heels pay, scoring a mixed 26 factors and connecting on six 3-pointers for a 39-31 lead on the break.

The 2 went chilly within the closing two quarters, combining for go simply 1 of 14 for 2 factors. However Cooke stated they have been glad to look at Boston take over and preserve the Gamecocks going.

“I believe she was tremendous dominant tonight,” Cooke stated. “She hit some very, very large free throws for us.”

BIG PICTURE

North Carolina: The Tar Heels have lots to construct on. Starters Kelly, Ustby and Kennedy Todd-Williams are all sophomores who might be counted on closely subsequent season by North Carolina coach Courtney Banghart because the staff tries to maneuver within the Atlantic Coast Convention. “The massive image is at all times vital,” Banghart stated. “I believe it is going to be simpler for me in a few days.”

South Carolina: The Gamecocks seem like they’re enjoying with a weight, not a chip, on their shoulders. They have been motivated all season by the missed pictures on the finish of final yr’s 66-65 nationwide semifinal loss to NCAA champion Stanford. South Carolina is on the precipice of getting again the place they’d anticipated all year long.

SAYING HI

Earlier than the sport, South Carolina coach Daybreak Staley met new males’s coach Lamont Paris in individual for the primary time. Paris was launched because the Gamecocks coach Thursday and got here to see the ladies’s staff of their Candy 16 matchup.

Staley gave him and the followers recommendation.

“I hope individuals are tremendous affected person and permit him to develop and make his imprint” on the varsity, the staff and the world, she stated.