Extra Points from the Bench, Extra Study Time For All

Teammates congratulate Liz Roberts (middle, No. 14) at the end of Sunday's win.

December 13, 2019 | Women's Basketball

By: UNC Athletic Communications

CHAPEL HILL – As the Tar Heels improved to 8-0 with a 92-53 win over NC Central on Sunday, there were lots of reasons to celebrate. But none got the bench more hyped than the final point of the game. Senior Liz Roberts, who subbed into the game for the final three minutes, was fouled with seven seconds on the clock. She made the second of two free throws for her first point of the season and when the game clock expired her teammates descended on her, celebrating much more than a single point.

"What you all see is such a small sample of who Liz Roberts is," UNC coach Courtney Banghart said in her postgame press conference. "Any time she can get rewarded for her efforts in a tangible way were all thrilled – you saw the celebration for her. You just never forget the way someone makes you feel. She makes people feel the right way all the time and I hope she felt the love back tonight."

Roberts, who is from Chapel Hill and graduated from Durham Academy, is majoring in exercise and sport science at UNC. Last month, she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa honorary society, an academic recognition earned by less than one percent of college students.

Banghart spent her career prior to this year in the Ivy League, which does not offer athletic scholarships. So when Roberts, a former walk-on, was awarded a scholarship this fall, she became Banghart's first scholarship player, a fact the coach says she doesn't take lightly.

"She earns it," Banghart said. "She's our hype in terms of practice. She's incredibly accountable. She's going to be a coach someday and she's going to be a really good one."

Bench Productivity

The Tar Heel bench scored a season-best 26 points against NC Central, even without junior Leah Church, who was sidelined by a shoulder injury. Leading the way was redshirt junior center Emily Sullivan, who had a season-high nine points and a career-high nine rebounds in 15 minutes of action. She was three for four from the field and got six of her rebounds off the offensive glass. She also had three blocks.

"I thought she played with great energy," Banghart said. "And she was playing against their starters, so it was quality time. I thought her energy made a difference and hopefully she and the rest of the bench can build on that. Energy is a determinant of success in every part of your life and I thought she gave great energy. We'll need that moving forward."

Everyone who played in the game scored, with six points each from Kennady Tucker and Lexi Duckett and four from Nia Daniel, all of whom are freshmen.

Wrapping Up Exams

The Tar Heels navigated semester exams this week as they prepared for the trip to Tuscaloosa to play Alabama on Sunday. Their coach had a consistent message for them: Be where you are.

"Whenever you're stressed or pressured in life you've just got to be where you are," Banghart explained. "If you're in the library studying, do it. If you're in an exam, give your best. If you're at practice, give your best. 'Be where you are' is our motto this week. And when they're on the court, we'll be preparing for Alabama."