The Watsco Center was buzzing with excitement as the Miami Hurricanes took the court to face the North Carolina Tar Heels. As expected, the game was a hit. The defensive efforts from UNC were stellar all the way through, resulting in a 69-60 victory against Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. An appreciation token for the same came in the form of a beloved basketball star for the Tar Heels.

UNC managed to score only seven points in the fourth quarter, leading fans to expect the opponents to win. But the tone was firmly established. While Miami was stuck with a season-low point total, UNC marked their first win in Coral Gables since 2015. But that wasn’t the only surprise for UNC’s roster.

As the team celebrated their win, they were greeted with a surprise in the locker room. It was none other than A’ja Wilson. The Las Vegas Aces star, decked out in a moss green t-shirt, a plain silver necklace, and a red bandana, was there to witness some quality basketball. And she wasn’t disappointed.

During the game, Wilson shared her enthusiasm in a video message, saying, “What’s up y’all, it’s A’ja Wilson here, enjoying the game. It’s a good game, you got a ranked opponent here. So yeah, I’m loving some good basketball over here.” Her passion for the sport and her support for women’s basketball were evident as she cheered alongside the fans.

Hearing those words, “It’s a good game,” 22-year-old star Alyssa Ustby couldn’t hold back her tears. It was a powerful moment, highlighting the impact of seeing a role model and WNBA star up close. Wilson’s surprise visit wasn’t just a thrill for Ustby; it was an ultimate compliment to the entire UNC team. “Good win, guys!” Wilson said as she entered the locker room, offering her congratulations. The team was ecstatic, taking photos with the WNBA star and soaking in the praise from one of basketball’s best.

And it was a deserving win.

Back at the Watsco Center, despite Miami’s strong fourth-quarter run, UNC’s early lead proved insurmountable. The Tar Heels’ defense and rebounding were key to their victory, with a significant 40 points in the paint and 16 second-chance points.

Alyssa Ustby added 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Maria Gakdeng led UNC with 21 points. But for the coach, it was the defense that stood out, limiting Miami’s points in the paint to 20 while forcing 15 turnovers to their mere 4.

“I liked how we were defending,” Coach Courtney Banghart said. “They weren’t getting any looks that they wanted in the fourth quarter. So I was using the clock and the time and trusting our defense even more so than our offense.” With momentum on their side, the Tar Heels now gear up for their next challenge against Notre Dame.