Virginia Women's Basketball Stumbles Against UNC

Tar Heels set program record with 16 three-pointers in 82-70 win over Cavaliers

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The Virginia women's basketball team struggled from the start, falling behind 15-8 after the first quarter and 40-23 at halftime against a hot-shooting North Carolina squad. The Tar Heels set a program record by connecting on 16 three-pointers, with four different players hitting at least three from deep. Despite a game-high 22 points from Kymora Johnson, the Cavaliers were unable to mount a serious comeback and ultimately fell 82-70.

Why it matters

This loss likely dashes Virginia's hopes of securing a top-four seed and double-bye in the upcoming ACC Tournament. The Cavaliers now find themselves in a four-way tie for fifth place in the conference standings, making their path to the NCAA Tournament more difficult.

The details

Virginia got off to a dismal start, missing its first nine shots and falling behind 15-8 after the first quarter. The Tar Heels then built a 40-23 halftime lead, thanks in large part to their torrid three-point shooting. UNC connected on 16 of 24 attempts from beyond the arc, setting a program record. Four different Tar Heel players made at least three three-pointers, leaving the Cavaliers' defense scrambling.

  • The game was played on February 28, 2026.
  • Virginia will host Virginia Tech for Senior Night on March 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM.

The players

Kymora Johnson

A Virginia player who scored a game-high 22 points, including 5 three-pointers.

Gabby White

A Virginia player who had a difficult game, picking up four fouls in just six minutes of action.

Breona Hurd

A Virginia player who had a strong performance off the bench, scoring 8 points and recording 3 steals.

Nyla Brooks

A North Carolina player who hit a key three-pointer late in the third quarter to extend the Tar Heels' lead.

Mox

The head coach of the Virginia women's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Virginia will need to win its final regular season game against Virginia Tech on Senior Night in order to improve its seeding for the ACC Tournament. The Cavaliers also need several other results to go their way in order to secure a top-four seed and double-bye in the conference tournament.

The takeaway

This loss highlights the challenges Virginia faces in competing with the top teams in the ACC. While the Cavaliers have shown fight and resilience throughout the season, their inability to mount a serious comeback against a hot-shooting North Carolina squad may hinder their postseason aspirations. Going forward, Virginia will need to find more consistent three-point shooting and defensive intensity to make a deep run in March.