University of North Carolina Athletics
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Tar Heels Cruise To Opening Win Over Charleston Southern
November 4, 2024 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Eleven Tar Heels found their way to the basket on Monday, as North Carolina women's basketball took off in the second half to defeat Charleston Southern in the first game of the year, 83-53. UNC is now 11-0 against CSU and has won its past seven season openers.
Three Tar Heels reached double-figures in scoring, as North Carolina (1-0) ran past the Buccaneers (0-1) with Alyssa Ustby leading all in scoring with 18 points. Knocking down two triples, Lexi Donarski followed with 14 points. In her Carolina debut, Trayanna Crisp tallied 11 points and added two assists to lead the bench.
Starting her final season off on a high-note, Ustby also added eight rebounds to crack the top-10 in UNC history as she now sits at a total of 965 rebounds.
Entering the starting line-up after missing the latter part of last season due to injury, Reniya Kelly came out hot with a quick five points in the opening minutes. Holding CSU to multiple scoring droughts within the first quarter, UNC took a narrow lead through 10 minutes at 20-16.
Carolina began to take control in the second quarter, out-scoring the Buccaneers 18-7 while causing havoc for CSU's offense. Highlighted by a 12-2 run, UNC forced 11 turnovers in the first half to take a 38-23 advantage going into the locker room.
Tinkering with multiple line-ups throughout the game, Carolina went to work in the paint throughout the second half to extend its hold over Charleston Southern. On the inside in her collegiate debut, Blanca Thomas tallied eight points off of 4-of-6 shooting and grabbed six rebounds.
A 6-0 run in the fourth quarter solidified Carolina's hold, as the Tar Heels went on to take down the Buccaneers 83-53 as UNC is now 6-0 in season openers under head coach Courtney Banghart.
The Tar Heels return to Carmichael Arena on Thursday to host UNCW at 7 p.m. ET, streaming on ACCNX. The first 500 students will receive a free-shirt upon arrival.
