The Deacons played two quality halves of basketball over the past week, but unfortunately they were not in the same game. The ACC woes continued for the Deacs as they lost close battles to Virginia and North Carolina, bringing their conference record to 1-10.

The Deacons hit the road Feb. 6, traveling to Charlottesville to face the Virginia Cavaliers. Defeating the Cavs earlier in the season, the Deacs were hoping to repeat the victory away from the Joel.

The Deacons were eager as they entered Virginia, jumping out to an early 10-4 lead. Virginia, however, mounted a comeback and took a 23-21 lead with three minutes left in the half. Bianca Brown then recorded three of her eight points when she connected on a long-range three. The shot gave the Deacs a 24-23 advantage that they took into the locker room at the half.

But the tale of two halves began during the last 20 minutes of play. The Cavaliers grabbed the lead on a jumper from sophomore forward Brandi Teamer in the opening minutes of the second half. The basket gave the Cavs a lead they would not relinquish and helped Teamer on the way to her game-high 23 points. The Deacons stayed in the game, battling the Cavaliers every possession. Midway through the half, junior forward Eafton Hill hit a free throw to bring the Deacs within eight.

But on the ensuing possession senior guard Liz Sahin stepped up and hit a three as the Cavs slowly began to pull away. Sahin and junior Safiya Grant-Fairley capped off the Cavalier scoring with a final three-pointer and a couple layups to give Virginia the 64-44 victory. Listenbee lead the way for the Deacons with 11 points and 3 rebounds and Hill added seven points in the disappointing loss.

The Deacons returned home to find the sixth-ranked North Carolina waiting for them. The in-state foes matched up on Feb. 9 as the Deacs looked for their second conference win. The resulting game was one of emotion full of runs and spurts. North Carolina jumped out to an early lead, going up 7-1 in the opening minutes.

The game was back and forth for the next couple minutes with neither team establishing domination. The game was tied at 24 before the Tar Heels pulled away from the Deacs. North Carolina went on a 10-3 run to close the half and took the momentum into the half.

Scoring the first two baskets of the second half, the Deacons crept closer and closer to the Tar Heels, but the Deacs could come no closer than one point. The Tar Heels responded to the challenge, slowly rebuilding their lead and putting the game out of reach. Senior Coretta Brown led the Tar Heels with 22 as North Carolina squeaked past the Demon Deacons for their 10th conference win. Listenbee provided the highlights for the Deacons as she recorded a double double in the game. The senior snagged 13 rebounds and recorded 20 points.

The Deacs will travel to Maryland and return home to face Duke next week as the challenging conference schedule continues.