No. 11 North Carolina turns back Virginia

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Freshman Kayla Mcpherson came off the bench to score 14 points and No. 11 North Carolina cruised to a 73-62 victory over Virginia on Thursday night.

Mcpherson has played just two games in the last 800 days. She had a knee injury that sidelined her for her senior year of high school and a different lower-body injury that kept her out of the Tar Heels’ first 20 games this season. It didn’t show against Virginia.

Mcpherson, who had eight points in North Carolina’s 69-58 road win over Clemson on Sunday, connected on 6 of 10 shots with two 3-pointers and added four assists for the Tar Heels (17-5, 8-3 Atlantic Coast Conference), who have won eight straight conference games after a three-game skid to open ACC play.

Deja Kelly finished with 13 points and five rebounds for North Carolina. Alyssa Ustby had 12 points and Anya Poole and Kennedy Todd-williams both scored 11. Poole grabbed eight rebounds.

London Clarkson scored 23 points off the bench to lead the Cavaliers (14-9, 3-9), who have lost five straight.

Notre Dame 72, Boston College 59:

Olivia Miles scored 22 points with 10 assists and eight rebounds, combining with Sonia Citron to score 14 straight points in the fourth quarter when No. 9 Notre Dame pulled away from Boston College.

Duke 53, Pittsburgh 44:

Shayeann Day-wilson and Celeste Taylor each scored 13 points and No. 16 Duke beat Pittsburgh. Taylor scored nine of her points in the fourth quarter to help Duke pull away.

Michigan 74, Illinois 57:

Leigha Brown scored 27 points to propel No. 18 Michigan to a victory over Illinois. Brown sank 10 of 13 shots from the floor and all seven of her free throws for the Wolverines (18-5, 8-4 Big Ten Conference). She added five assists and four rebounds.

Florida State 72, Wake Forest 44:

Ta’niya Latson scored 19 points, Makayla Timpson added 16 points and No. 23 Florida State eased by Wake Forest. Florida State pulled away in the second quarter.