Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, No. 16 North Carolina turn back Georgia Tech

Updated: Feb 10, 2013, 03:40 pm

ATLANTA -- Tierra Ruffin-Pratt scored 14 points, including two late baskets, as No. 16 North Carolina edged Georgia Tech 60-58 Sunday.

Ruffin-Pratt hit a jumper with 2:58 remaining, then another with 2:08 left to give the Tar Heels (22-3, 10-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) a 55-54 lead after they surrendered a nine-point, second-half advantage.

The Yellow Jackets (10-14, 3-10) took their final lead, 58-57 with 47 seconds left, on a steal and layup by Tyaunna Marshall, but Ruffin-Pratt's two free throws put North Carolina back in front and Latifah Coleman's steal and free throw provided the final margin.

The victory was coach Sylvia Hatchell's 901st, breaking a tie for second all time with former Texas coach Jody Conradt.

Ruffin-Pratt had 10 rebounds but committed 12 of North Carolina's 29 turnovers. Coleman had 13 points and Megan Buckland 12.

Marshall led the Yellow Jackets, who committed 31 turnovers, with 19 points and 11 rebounds.