North Carolina
15-3,3-2ACC
Boston College
10-8,1-4ACC
WBB Earns Second Straight ACC Win, Takes Down Boston College, 80-67
January 12, 2025 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Ending its home stretch on a high note, No. 19 North Carolina women's basketball utilized a second half surge to make its way past Boston College, 80-67 from Carmichael Arena on Sunday afternoon. The Tar Heels pick up their second straight Atlantic Coast Conference win and move to 3-2 overall in league play.
Despite facing a three-point deficit at the half, No. 19 North Carolina (15-3, 3-2 ACC) put up big offensive numbers in the third quarter to push past Boston College (10-8, 1-4 ACC) for its third consecutive win over the Golden Eagles in Chapel Hill and its first overall win when trailing at the half since last season.
Tallying a Carolina-high of 17 points, Alyssa Ustby led UNC in scoring for the 12th time this season and dished out a team-high four assists. Around the rim, Ustby also led the Tar Heels with two blocks.
Running the point, Reniya Kelly continues to make huge bounds in her sophomore season with a double-digit outing of 14 points while going five-of-five from the charity stripe and snagging two steals.
As one oft the youngest players in Division I basketball, Lanie Grant isn't playing like it, with the freshman posting her fourth double-figure scoring game of her young career with 12 points.
Off the glass, Maria Gakdeng led UNC with a team-high six rebounds and added eight points.
Gakdeng on the inside remains a major problem for opposing defenses, scoring the first two buckets of the game to put the Tar Heels in motion. Firing off back-to-back made three's from Donarski and Kelly, Carolina began to create a bit of separation towards the end of the first quarter. Forcing eight turnovers in the opening frame, UNC grabbed an early advantage at 21-16.
A 7-0 run from Boston College forced a one possession game within the opening minutes of the second, while the Tar Heels struggled to stay out of foul trouble. The Golden Eagles took advantage of multiple starters on the bench to grab its largest lead to date by six at 37-31 with two minutes remaining in the first half. Pulling within three, UNC headed into the locker room with Boston College leading, 40-37.
Re-energized out of the break, Carolina limited looks from Boston College while finding good ones of their own to take off on a 16-4 start to the third and regain its lead. Cashing in off Golden Eagle turnovers en route to a 23-12 quarter, the Tar Heels stood in command at 60-52 as 10 minutes remained.
Posting its best second half field goal percentage in any game this season at 52.8%, Carolina kept the Golden Eagles at bay through the remainder of the game to go on and take down the Golden Eagles, 80-67.
The Tar Heels hit the road with a trip to the Lone Star State for their first ever meeting against ACC newcomer SMU on Thursday. Tip against the Mustangs from the Moody Center is slated for 8 p.m. ET, streaming on ACCNX.
