Ja'Leah Williams explains mindset that allowed Miami to upset North Carolina

Miami held off North Carolina for a 60-59 win on Thursday in the second round of the ACC Tournament, upsetting the Tar Heels to advance to Friday’s quarterfinals.

North Carolina had three chances to score late, but Deja Kelly was unable to get off a clean shot in the final seconds as the Hurricanes survived.

Miami junior Ja’Leah Williams was called for a walk with seven seconds left, which gave UNC an opportunity late. Williams was clearly upset, but her teammates did a good job of consoling her and getting her in the right mindset to get a defensive stop.

The Hurricanes did just that, doubling Kelly and forcing an errant shot at the buzzer. Afterwards, Williams spoke about her team’s mindset late in the game.

“Honestly, my team came and got me and made sure that my head was up,” Ja’Leah Williams told the ACC Network. “I’m the one that brought them here; I’m the one that was keeping them together. As soon as I was down, they made sure they had my back through it all. Jaida [Patrick] came up to me, ‘We’re not gonna do this now.’ She made sure I was keeping my head up, because I am the glue. I am the stick. I am going to make sure this team continues to execute and do what they’ve gotta do.”

Williams finished with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals in the win for Miami, while Latasha Lattimore added 12 points and 4 boards in 25 minutes.

Williams wasn’t shy about how important Lattimore was to the Miami win.

“Tasha is long, lengthy. I mean, Tasha’s a power forward. Her spirit’s just amazing and just her, just personally, all that she’s been through, she keeps going,” Williams said. “All that she’s been through, she kept going. Like, she brings that spirit to keep going, no matter what she’s been through. She just made sure we was up, we kept going. Even when our head was down, I was telling her you ain’t go this far for nothing. Let’s go. Let’s be grateful we’re here and let’s keep going. Let’s bring God with us and get this dub.”

Up next, Miami will face No. 1 seed Virginia Tech as the Hurricanes look to keep rolling.

“M and M. Miami and March. We are marching,” Williams said. “Coach said March 4th and March 5th, what 305. Let em know, baby. It’s all about the U.”