University of North Carolina Athletics
Women's Basketball Seeking Nation-Best 15th Win
June 21, 1999 | Women's Basketball
December 30, 1998
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina women's basketball game against Hampton on Thursday, Dec. 31, will be the Tar Heels' 16th of the season, which is more than any other Division I women's team has played thus far and more than UNC has ever played before the start of the new year. In addition to Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels have played in Indiana, Hawaii, Florida, Massachusetts and South Carolina.
"We've been really worn out at times, physically and mentally, but still have managed to play hard," coach Sylvia Hatchell says. "Our endurance has certainly been tested and I think that will help us down the road."
With a record of 14-1, North Carolina currently leads Division I in wins. (Colorado State is 13-1 and also plays on Thursday.) Should the Tar Heels beat Hampton, they will start off 1999 with 15 victories, more than any other Division I team*men's or women's*in the country. North Carolina is currently ranked sixth in both the AP and the USA Today/ESPN polls.
Senior Chanel Wright needs nine points to move into tenth place on UNC's alltime scoring chart. In her fourth season as a starter, Wright has a career total of 1,543, an average of 14.3 points per game. Scoring 14.5 points per game this season, she is likely to pass Kathy Wilson's mark of 1,551 (set 1985-88) in Thursday's game against Hampton.
Reaching that landmark would give Wright yet another reason to celebrate on New Year's Eve. Thursday is also her 21st birthday.
Tipoff for the Tar Heels' game with Hampton (2-4) is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Carmichael Auditorium.
