CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — After three consecutive wins to begin play in what is a chaotic ACC, No. 4 Notre Dame (12-2, 3-1) fell at No. 22 North Carolina (10-5, 1-3) on Sunday, 60-50.
It was a physical game on both ends of the floor, with 39 total fouls between the teams. Notre Dame had what was by far its worst shooting game of the year, finishing with just a 28.1 percent success rate. The Irish had not been held under 40 percent this year. They were uncharacteristically off from behind the arc, going just 2-22.
Center Lauren Ebo posted a career-high 19 rebounds, including 11 in the first half and 7 offensive boards. She finished with 7 points and also tied her career high in the steals category (3).
Guard Sonia Citron added a 13th game to her double-digit scoring streak with 13 points, the longest such streak on the team. Citron and Olivia Miles were the only Irish players with 10+ points. Miles had 15 with 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
UNC’s superstar Deja Kelly had 14 points on the evening, but it was freshman Paulina Paris who stole the show for the Tar Heels. She went 6-9 from the floor, finishing with 16 points off the bench. The rookie hit three of four shots from 3-point range.
Notre Dame will head back to South Bend to face Wake Forest (11-6, 2-4) on Thursday. The game will tip off at 7:00 p.m. ET on ACCNX.