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Latta steps up to continue UNC's undefeated start

Jan 16, 2007 - 4:47 AM CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Ivory Latta did not a have a great game but made her best shot count.

Latta hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 61 seconds remaining as second-ranked North Carolina overcame a late charge by No. 5 Connecticut for an 82-76 victory.

Although she finished 4-of-13 from the field, Latta stepped up her play in the second half, scoring 12 of her 14 points, including a shot from the arc that snapped a 74-74 tie with just over a minute left.

Latta also made two free throws with 39 seconds left for the Tar Heels (20-0), who remained undefeated despite watching a 15-point lead in the second half disappear.

Falling behind, 60-45, on a basket by UNC's Camille Little with 13:15 remaining, the Huskies (14-2) stormed back with a 25-8 run to pull ahead 70-68 on a short jumper by Renee Montgomery with 4:52 to play.

The Tar Heels managed to tie the score on three different occasions before going back ahead 76-74 on a basket by LaToya Pringle with 2:35 left. UConn retied the score once again on a field goal by Kalana Greene before Latta's big 3-pointer.

Pringle scored 18 points and Erlana Larkins added 15 and 16 rebounds for UNC, which shot 47.6 percent (30-of-63) and held a 46-32 advantage on the boards.

Greene scored 23 points and Brittany Hunter added 10 and nine rebounds for the Huskies, who managed just 17 points on 26 turnovers by the Tar Heels in losing for the third time in the series.