University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
ETSU
Tar Heels Demolish ETSU, 82-55
November 26, 1999 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 26, 1999
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - Once North Carolina turned up its defense, East Tennessee State had no chance.
LaQuanda Barksdale scored 21 points, and Jackie Higgins added 13 points and 12 rebounds to lead No. 10 North Carolina to an 82-55 victory Friday night over East Tennessee State.
"We had to step up our defense in the second half to win this game," arksdale said. "East Tennessee State is more than a decent team. We let them stay with us a lot longer than we should have."
North Carolina limited the Bucs to 17-for-64 shooting and just three baskets in the final 10 minutes of play.
"That, I don't understand. I don't know how we miss those shots," East Tennessee State coach Karen Kamp said. "I ask myself everyday how a player can miss an open layup, and, when I find out I'm going to write a book and make a lot of money explaining it."
Nikki Teasley scored 13 points for North Carolina (2-1), and was one of the few Tar Heels players not in foul trouble. Leah Sharp fouled out in the final minute, and two other starters, Barksdale and Juana Brown, had four fouls before they sat out the last 1:25.
Jasmyn Huntington came off the bench to hit two 3-pointers during North Carolina's 17-4 run midway through the second half. She finished with 11 points.
"They're more physical and just plain better than a lot of the teams we face," Kamp said. "You expect that from any Top 25 team, but we knew even more about North Carolina because we have several players who played here three years ago. They remember how good they are."
Christina Forman scored 12 points to lead East Tennessee State (2-1). Shawn Thompson and Samantha Copeland each added 11.
"They'll probably win the Southern Conference again this year," North Carolina Coach Sylvia Hatchell said. "They're a smart team. A quick team. If we hadn't heated up the defense in the second half, we'd have been in real trouble."
Barksdale, who has scored in double figures in 17 of UNC's last 19 games, paced North Carolina's 34-of-77 shooting from the field going 10 for 17.
Barksdale went 6 for 8 in the first 20 minutes to help North Carolina take a 36-26 halftime lead.
East Tennessee State was still within 48-37 after Erin Thurman nailed a 3-pointer from the left corner with 12:05 to play. But Huntington responded 13 seconds later with a jumper from the key that began UNC's decisive 17-4 run.
