University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Elon
No. 9 North Carolina Crushes Elon, 86-40
November 19, 2004 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 19, 2004
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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - Ivory Latta showed what some people believe No. 9 North Carolina will need to upset fourth-ranked Connecticut on Sunday: Perfection.
Latta made all six of her shots, including four 3-pointers, to score 17 points in North Carolina's 86-40 season-opening win against Elon.
At the same time, North Carolina's defense smothered Elon. The Phoenix (0-1) hit just 17 of 60 shots (28.3 percent) and had more turnovers (27) than field goals. They went 1-for-19 from 3-point range.
Kitara Moore led Elon with 11 points.
"Our defense has been a little slack at times, but I think we're going to pick it up this weekend," Latta said. "We'll have to. We're playing a great team."
The Tar Heels, the preseason favorites to win the Atlantic Coast Conference, play defending national champion Connecticut in the Jimmy V Classic in Raleigh.
Elon coach Brenda Paul is convinced the Tar Heels can measure up.
"They're quick. We just couldn't run with them," Paul said. "Carolina is so quick; they just outmatched us at every position on the floor."
Erlana Larkins added 16 points and Leah Metcalf 10 points and seven assists for North Carolina. Four other Tar Heels had at least seven points.
Coach Sylvia Hatchell was more concerned about North Carolina's slim 44-40 rebounding edge and Elon matching the Tar Heels on the offensive boards.
"It was a good way to start the season. We got to play a lot of people," Hatchell said. "Our defense was solid and our tempo was good, but they still got way too many offensive rebounds."
North Carolina led 50-18 at the break, then pulled away steadily in the second half.
"I told the team before the game I didn't much care about the score," Hatchell said. "There are too many other things for us to work on. And, whatever the outcome this weekend, it will still be good for us when we play the national champions."
