University of North Carolina Athletics
Wednesday, November 29
Chapel Hill, N.C.
3:30 p.m.
North Carolina
4-2
88
vs
83
Minnesota
7-1
1
2
3
4
F
Minnesota
26
10
28
19
83
North Carolina
31
13
24
20
88
Taylor Koenen
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Carolina Tops Previously Unbeaten Minnesota, 88-83
November 29, 2017 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL - Taylor Koenen scored a career-high 21 points to lead North Carolina to an 88-83 victory over previously unbeaten Minnesota on Wednesday afternoon in the annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge from Carmichael Arena.
Carolina improves to 8-3 all-time in the Challenge, while Minnesota falls to 4-7.
Koenen, a native of Savage, Minnesota, was an efficient 9-of-13 from the field, grabbed six rebounds and had six assists for North Carolina (4-2). Jamie Cherry had 19 points behind four three-pointers, Janelle Bailey registered a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, Jocelyn Jones added 14 points and Paris Kea had 11.
Gadiva Hubbard scored a game-high 25 points for Minnesota (7-1). Carlie Wagner had 19 points and Kenisha Bell tossed in 16. Jessie Edwards hauled in 15 rebounds.
Carolina picked up where it left off last season when these two teams battled in the Bahamas last November. The Tar Heels scored 34 fourth-quarter points in a 91-77 victory over the Golden Gophers last Nov. 25.
On Wednesday, UNC set a season-high in points in a quarter to lead 31-26 after 10 minutes. A balanced showing had Bailey, Cherry and Koenen each tossing in eight points in the first period.
Carolina turned up its defensive pressure in the second quarter to preserve its lead by limiting Minnesota to only four made baskets and 10 total points. Meanwhile, Koenen remained lethal from the floor, scoring 14 first-half points to help give the Tar Heels a 44-36 edge at the half.
Another free flowing, offensive minded third quarter saw Minnesota outscore the Tar Heels by a 28-24 margin, however, Carolina still held a 68-64 lead going to the fourth period.
Kea drilled a clutch jumper to give UNC some breathing room early in the final stanza, and Koenen did the same from the baseline midway into the quarter to put her club ahead, 77-69.
Bell made it a one-possession game, 77-74, before the final dagger came on a Cherry three-pointer with under two minutes left that put UNC up by 10, 84-74.
North Carolina hosts Hartford on Friday at 3 p.m.
Carolina improves to 8-3 all-time in the Challenge, while Minnesota falls to 4-7.
Koenen, a native of Savage, Minnesota, was an efficient 9-of-13 from the field, grabbed six rebounds and had six assists for North Carolina (4-2). Jamie Cherry had 19 points behind four three-pointers, Janelle Bailey registered a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, Jocelyn Jones added 14 points and Paris Kea had 11.
Gadiva Hubbard scored a game-high 25 points for Minnesota (7-1). Carlie Wagner had 19 points and Kenisha Bell tossed in 16. Jessie Edwards hauled in 15 rebounds.
Carolina picked up where it left off last season when these two teams battled in the Bahamas last November. The Tar Heels scored 34 fourth-quarter points in a 91-77 victory over the Golden Gophers last Nov. 25.
On Wednesday, UNC set a season-high in points in a quarter to lead 31-26 after 10 minutes. A balanced showing had Bailey, Cherry and Koenen each tossing in eight points in the first period.
Carolina turned up its defensive pressure in the second quarter to preserve its lead by limiting Minnesota to only four made baskets and 10 total points. Meanwhile, Koenen remained lethal from the floor, scoring 14 first-half points to help give the Tar Heels a 44-36 edge at the half.
Another free flowing, offensive minded third quarter saw Minnesota outscore the Tar Heels by a 28-24 margin, however, Carolina still held a 68-64 lead going to the fourth period.
Kea drilled a clutch jumper to give UNC some breathing room early in the final stanza, and Koenen did the same from the baseline midway into the quarter to put her club ahead, 77-69.
Bell made it a one-possession game, 77-74, before the final dagger came on a Cherry three-pointer with under two minutes left that put UNC up by 10, 84-74.
North Carolina hosts Hartford on Friday at 3 p.m.
Team Stats
MINN
NC
FG%
.411
.500
3FG%
.423
.471
FT%
.667
.706
RB
40
39
TO
17
14
STL
7
6
Game Leaders
Pts
21
FGM
9
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
3
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
Guard
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