Congratulations, North Carolina. You managed to hire someone completely unqualified to be your next football coach. You did that thing so many schools do where they try to win the press conference instead of win football games. It rarely works. Please click here for more.

National champions! The queens of college soccer have reclaimed their crown. North Carolina won the 2024 NCAA Division I women’s soccer championship, the program’s 23rd national title and first since 2012. Please click here for more.

North Carolina turned the ball over more than any other game and the Tar Heels shot worse than any other game but somehow the home team did enough to get past Georgia Tech 68-65. (12/7)

Carolina took a slim 31-30 into the half after trailing by as many as eight points. After eight lead changes and five ties to start the second half, the Tar Heels managed four straight points with about five minutes left to take a modest 59-55 lead. Jalen Washington took a pass from Eliot Cadeau and dunked, then seconds later RJ Davis hit a driving layup in transition.

The Heels never trailed again but it remained close. A long three from Cadeau with less than three minutes left at the end of the shot clock to make it 62-57 was the big basket to keep the Jackets at bay. Carolina hit six free throws in a row to wrap it up down the stretch.

“Winning in this league is difficult so when you are able to come out with a win it’s something to celebrate,” said UNC coach Hubert Davis, who noted that his team had long faces in the lockerroom after the game.

He was disappointed with the team’s season-high 18 turnovers. “We were trying to hit the home run rather than make the simple play,” he said, adding that his squad is a bit wounded after losing three in a row and traveling so much.

Carolina shot a season-low 39 percent but was able to hold Georgia Tech to just 31 percent. The Heels were just five of 24 from beyond the arc.

On a positive note, the Tar Heels made better use of the Yellow Jackets’ 14 miscues by outscoring the visitors 17-15 off turnovers. In addition, while Georgia Tech has been a strong rebounding team so far this year, the Tar Heels outrebounded them 48-39. The Heels also outscored Tech in the paint 34-21, mainly on drives to the hoop. Finally, transition points went Carolina’s way 16-5.

Seth Trimble was Carolina’s rock as he went four of five from the floor and eight of nine from the foul line for 19 points. Davis added 16 points but he’s still now shooting well as he hit only five of 15 shots. Ian Jackson was the only other Tar Heel in double figures with 15 points.

Lance Terry led Georgia Tech, now 4-5, with 22 points with most of his points coming on the free throw line or beyond the arc. Teammate Baye Ndongo handled the inside points by adding 19.

The Tar Heels, who improve to 5-4 on the season and 1-0 in the ACC, have the week off for exams and then play at home against LaSalle at 4 p.m. Saturday.

For a box score and more on the game, please click here.

Led by forwards Kate Faasse, Olivia Thomas and Maddie Dahlien who each tallied a goal, North Carolina defeated the Blue Devils for the second time in the post season after winning in the ACC tournament semifinals in early November. Please click here for more.