No. 3 UNC Fends Off Virginia

Erlana Larkins had 21 points, 18 rebounds and one key late steal as No. 3 North Carolina held off Virginia, 90-82, last night in Charlottesville.

The Cavaliers closed to within two on Monica Wright's layup with 1 minute 58 seconds to play and had a chance to tie it or go ahead after Abby Robertson drew a charge on Larkins.

But Larkins, playing with heavy padding on the left hand she broke in December, stepped in front of Lyndra Littles's pass for her third steal of the night, and seconds later, LaToya Pringle's short jumper doubled the Tar Heels' advantage.

Pringle led all scorers with 28 points and added 10 rebounds as North Carolina (23-3, 10-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) won its 11th in a row in the series.

Lyndra Littles led Virginia (18-7, 6-3) with 22 points, and Aisha Mohammed had 16 and nine rebounds, and Wright added 16 points. Mohammed and Wright both fouled out.

Marquette Men Top Pitt

Jerel McNeal scored 17 points and Ousmane Barrow added 14 points and 12 rebounds to lead Marquette to a 72-54 upset of No. 22 Pittsburgh in Milwaukee.

The Golden Eagles (18-6, 8-5 Big East) used a 17-0 run early in the second half to take control.

Sam Young scored 18 points for the Panthers (19-6, 7-5), and guard Levance Fields, who had missed a dozen games with a broken left foot, had four points in 20 minutes.

McNeal scored a pair of baskets to open the decisive run, giving Marquette a 41-28 lead and forcing Pitt Coach Jamie Dixon to call a timeout.