“We just turned up the intensity,” said Vols guard Shannon Bobbitt. “Defense wins games.”

It was the second straight season North Carolina came up short in the semis. Last year, they lost to eventual champion Maryland when Latta injured her knee.

She’ll now have to deal with the end of a brilliant career that doesn’t include a national title.

Anosike’s free throw put the Lady Vols ahead 51-50. On Carolina’s next trip, the Lady Vols double-teamed Miller near half court and Parker was able to strip her of the ball before being fouled.

She made both free throws to make it 53-50, and when Latta missed two more 3-pointers, Tennessee fans could begin thinking about a possible seventh championship on Rocky Top.

As she walked onto the floor for the opening tip, Latta placed her hand to her ear, asking the Carolina fans if they were ready. She got a loud ovation, clapped her hands and mouthed, “Y’all are ready.”

Turns out the Tar Heels weren’t, and neither were the Lady Vols.

It’s probably a good thing tip-off was at nearly 9:30 p.m. EDT. Anyone staying up to watch the first half on TV was treated to basketball unfit for a Final Four and certainly not becoming of two No. 1 seeds.

Shots clanged off the rims. Bodies were thrown to the floor. The basketball basics — dribbling, passing and rebounding — were almost nonexistent. It made the Rutgers-LSU game look like a classic.

And topping it off, the game’s two biggest stars, Parker and Latta, were reduced to cheerleaders for the first half because of foul trouble.

“I was hurting,” Latta said, “because I couldn’t be out there helping my team.”

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