University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Mount Olive (exhibition)
Cherry, Walker Drop 23 Each In Win Over Mt. Olive
November 10, 2015 | Women's Basketball
Carolina placed six players in double figures, led by 23 points for both Cherry and Walker. N'Dea Bryant scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while forwards Hillary Summers and Erika Johnson contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively. Freshman Stephanie Watts chipped in with 11 points and nine boards.
Tommarah Harris led Mount Olive with 14 points. Kiara Jones added eight points for the Trojans, a Division II team that plays out of Conference Carolinas.
It took Carolina nearly the entire game to make a three-pointer last Wednesday in a win over Wingate. Monday night, Destinee Walker knocked down a triple just seven seconds into the game against the Trojans.
The first-year standout admitted nerves played a role in her slow start in last week's exhibition. Walker's early bucket must have calmed the entire team as Carolina pulled out to a 17-5 lead by the first quarter media timeout.
Rachel Fehl converted from distance for the Trojans midway through the quarter, but Carolina answered with the next 11 points and would lead 30-10 after the first. The Tar Heels did an outstanding job distributing the ball, coming up with 10 assists on a dozen made field goals.
UNC continued to turn up the heat on defensive with an onslaught of steals. Cherry found Walker for two in the open court and was fouled on the play. She converted the foul shot and Carolina led 45-15 just 14 minutes into the game. Rachel McGirt's put back gave Carolina a 40 point lead, and the team later took a 60-18 advantage into halftime.
Monday night's game featured a husband and wife going head-to-head from opposite benches. Carolina coaching staff member Billy Lee was apposed by his wife, Wendy Lee, the Mount Olive head coach who is in her 16th season on the Trojans bench. Wendy played college basketball for Sammy Hatchell at Meredith College. He is the husband of UNC Hall of Fame head coach Sylvia Hatchell. Billy is a graduate of Mount Olive.
UNC forced 38 turnovers, had 23 steals and turned those UMO miscues into 43 points. Cherry had six steals alone, while Watts had five. Bryant and Summers had three blocks apiece.
Carolina opens the season in earnest this Friday against Gardner-Webb at 4 p.m.
