University of North Carolina Athletics
Sunday, November 24
Paradise Island, Bahamas
4 PM
North Carolina
5-1,0-0ACC
53
vs
36
Villanova
4-2,0-0Big East
1
2
3
4
F
Villanova
7
11
5
13
36
North Carolina
17
13
14
9
53
Defense Propels No. 16 WBB Past Villanova In Battle4Atlantis Semifinals
November 24, 2024 | Women's Basketball
PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas -- Taking on Villanova in the semifinals of the 2024 Battle4Atlantis, No. 16 North Carolina's lockdown defense lifted it over the Wildcats, 53-36 on Sunday from Imperial Arena. The Tar Heels advance to Monday's title game against Indiana.
In holding Villanova (4-2) under double figures in scoring in multiple quarters, North Carolina (5-1) kept its second team of the season under 50 points and allowed the fewest points against a power conference team since 2007.
The duo of Lexi Donarski and Alyssa Ustby carried the Tar Heels with 14-points apiece. Ustby continues to heat up in paradise, with her second double-double of the tournament as she added 14 rebounds for the 40thof her career.
Indya Nivar kept the Wildcats at bay, snagging a career-high six steals as the Tar Heels tallied 10 as a team.
Ustby ran out ready to go, with five points alone within the first few minutes of the game. The Tar Heels set the defensive tone early, limiting Wildcat looks around the rim and to multiple scoring drouts. Wrapping the quarter on a 13-3 run, the Tar Heels jumped on the Wildcats to lead 17-7.
Exploiting the Wildcats in the paint, North Carolina continued to work the inside to maintain a double-figure lead throughout the second frame. Remaining on a tear, Ustby tallied her double-double prior to halftime as the Tar Heels remained ahead 30-18.
Villanova attempted to close the gap early in the third quarter coming within as close as 12, yet Carolina held the Wildcats without a field goal for the duration of the frame. An 8-0 run from the Tar Heels pushed UNC ahead by as many as 20 with 10 minutes remaining.
The Carolina defense brought it home, with the Tar Heels running away to the 53-36 win over Villanova to advance to the 2024 Battle4Atlantis Championship game on Monday.
The Tar Heels wrap their time in paradise tomorrow in against the Hoosiers at 12 p.m. ET, airing on ESPN2.
In holding Villanova (4-2) under double figures in scoring in multiple quarters, North Carolina (5-1) kept its second team of the season under 50 points and allowed the fewest points against a power conference team since 2007.
The duo of Lexi Donarski and Alyssa Ustby carried the Tar Heels with 14-points apiece. Ustby continues to heat up in paradise, with her second double-double of the tournament as she added 14 rebounds for the 40thof her career.
Indya Nivar kept the Wildcats at bay, snagging a career-high six steals as the Tar Heels tallied 10 as a team.
Ustby ran out ready to go, with five points alone within the first few minutes of the game. The Tar Heels set the defensive tone early, limiting Wildcat looks around the rim and to multiple scoring drouts. Wrapping the quarter on a 13-3 run, the Tar Heels jumped on the Wildcats to lead 17-7.
Exploiting the Wildcats in the paint, North Carolina continued to work the inside to maintain a double-figure lead throughout the second frame. Remaining on a tear, Ustby tallied her double-double prior to halftime as the Tar Heels remained ahead 30-18.
Villanova attempted to close the gap early in the third quarter coming within as close as 12, yet Carolina held the Wildcats without a field goal for the duration of the frame. An 8-0 run from the Tar Heels pushed UNC ahead by as many as 20 with 10 minutes remaining.
The Carolina defense brought it home, with the Tar Heels running away to the 53-36 win over Villanova to advance to the 2024 Battle4Atlantis Championship game on Monday.
The Tar Heels wrap their time in paradise tomorrow in against the Hoosiers at 12 p.m. ET, airing on ESPN2.
Team Stats
VU
UNC
FG%
.235
.400
3FG%
.278
.294
FT%
.700
.667
RB
39
37
TO
21
14
STL
2
10
Game Leaders
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
4
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
4
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG/F
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