University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Winthrop
UNC Women's Basketball Tops Winthrop, 71-48
December 16, 2000 | Women's Basketball
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Dec. 16, 2000
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.-After leading by just five, 32-27, at halftime, the University of North Carolina women's basketball team shot 56.7 percent from the field in the second half to beat visiting Winthrop 71-48 at Carmichael Auditorium. Senior forward LaQuanda Barksdale led the Tar Heels with 27 points and 14 rebounds, her fourth double-double of the season.
With the non-conference win, UNC improved to 5-3 overall. (Carolina is 1-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play.) Winthrop fell to 1-6 on the season.
Winthrop never led in the game and Carolina was up by 13 points, 28-15, with 5:35 remaining in the first half. Withrop narrowed the gap to five by halftime, after senior forward Crystal Greene hit a three-pointer from just short of half-court at the buzzer.
"We knew they'd come out and play hard," said UNC guard Coretta Brown. "We can't take any team lightly."
In the second half, the Lady Eagles drew within three, 40-37, with 16:10 to play. After that, the Tar Heels went on a 13-0 run to take a commanding lead that they'd never give up. During that run, Barksdale scored eight points and Brown scored five.
Winthrop was led in scoring by sophomore guard Kimberly Cairnes, who had a season-high 18 points. Junior guard Charlotta Wennefors and senior guard Ishirel Hilliard scored 10 points each. Due to injuries, Winthrop dressed just seven players.
"It's always disappointing to have a loss, but we kind of feel victorious," first-year Winthrop coach Cheryl Nix said. "We've struggled a lot the last six games and we could have been intimidated tonight. But, we were relaxed and focused, and we played with a lot of heart and a lot of confidence that I hadn't seen to this point."
The 71 points marked the Tar Heels' lowest offensive output of the season. UNC won the rebounding battle 51-34.
"We started a little sluggish and missed some shots that we should have made," UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell said. "In the second half, we shot the ball better. Winthrop played hard and made some big shots. Cheryl is doing a great job as their coach."
Brown was the only other Carolina player in double figures with 17 points. She also had a career-high 10 rebounds and five assists.
UNC senior guard Juana Brown, who sprained the lateral collateral ligament in her left knee during a game on Dec. 3, dressed for Saturday's game, but did not see action. "She could have gone, but we thought it was best to give her knee a few more days," Hatchell said. Brown is expected to return to the lineup the Tar Heels' next game, Dec. 21 against South Carolina in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Tipoff for that matchup, the first game of the Carolina Classic, is 7 p.m. A game between Clemson and Auburn will follow.
Winthrop is back in action on Monday, hosting the College of Charleston at 7 p.m.
