No. 10 Maryland beats No. 11 North Carolina 85-59

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(AP) Tianna Hawkins scored 25, Alyssa Thomas had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and 10th-ranked Maryland beat No. 11 North Carolina 85-59 Thursday night to end the Tar Heels’ 11-game winning streak.

Thomas fell two assists short of her second career triple-double and Chloe Pavlech scored 18 for the Terrapins (16-3, 7-1 Atlantic Coast Conference). Maryland has won six straight since falling to North Carolina on Jan. 3.

Krista Gross and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt each scored 15 for the Tar Heels (18-2, 6-1), who fell into third place in the ACC behind Duke and the Maryland. North Carolina went 1 for 19 from 3-point range.

Maryland led 41-30 before Thomas scored seven points in a 14-4 run that upped the margin to 21 with 12:48 left. North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell received a technical foul and Ruffin-Pratt, the Tar Heels’ leading scorer, picked up her fourth foul during the pivotal stretch.

North Carolina had not lost since Dec. 2, 102-57 at Tennessee.

The Terrapins got a scare with 5:14 left in the first half when Thomas leaped for a long rebound and was undercut by North Carolina guard Brittany Rountree, who was also in pursuit of the loose ball. Thomas rolled off Rountree’s back and landed on her side in obvious pain. Thomas was helped to the locker room but missed less than three minutes of playing time before returning.

Maryland could not afford to lose her. Not only does Thomas rank second in the ACC in scoring and rebounding, but Maryland dressed only eight players.

Hawkins and Pavlech each had 12 points, and the Terrapins shot 65 percent in taking a 37-25 halftime lead.

Getting two baskets and four assists from Thomas in the opening eight minutes, Maryland took a 17-10 lead before the Tar Heels used an 8-0 spurt to move in front.

Pavlech then hit a jumper and her second 3-pointer to spark a 9-0 run that made it 26-18. At that point, the Terrapins were 12 for 18 from the floor and Thomas had assists on half their baskets.