North Carolina
18-3,6-2ACC
Wake Forest
7-12,0-8ACC
Women’s Basketball Runs Past Wake Forest, Off To Best Start In Banghart Era
January 23, 2025 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Shaking off a slow first half, No. 13 North Carolina women's basketball utilized a big second half to put away Wake Forest, 76-51 from Carmichael Arena on Thursday night. The Tar Heels picked up their fifth straight win and are off to the best start in the Courtney Banghart era with 18 wins through 21 games.
Returning home following a week on the road, North Carolina (18-3, 6-2 ACC) shot like it was right at home in Carmichael Arena, taking down Wake Forest (7-11, 0-8 ACC) for UNC's fourth straight win against the Demon Deacons.
Shooting at a blistering 56.6% from the field to set a Carolina ACC game-high, three Tar-Heels tallied double-figures in the hot shooting night. Not cooling off from beyond the arc, Lexi Donarski drained five triples for the third straight game leading the Tar Heels with 17 points. Through the last three games, Donarksi has drained a total of 15 threes.
Coming in off the bench, Grace Townsend lit it up by going a perfect 5-of-5 from the field en route to 13 points. Scoring all of her points in the fourth quarter, Lanie Grant compiled her sixth double-figure outing with 10 points.
With a team-high nine rebounds, Alyssa Ustby added seven points and two steals. Remaining on a defensive tear, Indya Nivar snagged four steals for the second straight game for the junior with four or more assists. Leading the Tar Heels up the court, Reniya Kelly dished out a team-best five assists.
Shaking off a slow start, the Tar Heels remained just as hot from three as they were in their last outing with Donarski hitting two triples in the opening frame. Shutting down the Demon Deacons to only six points in the first quarter, Carolina ran off to a 20-1 run to lead 22-6 through the first 10 minutes.
Going cold from the field, Carolina was limited to only two made field goals throughout the entire second quarter. The Tar Heels remained consistent from the free throw line to maintain a narrow edge at the break, ahead 32-28.
Finding rhythm on the inside, the Tar Heels hit five field goals in-a-row to begin to create separation from the Demon Deacons. Extending its lead to double-figures midway through the third quarter, Carolina controlled the tempo to remain ahead at 50-38.
The duo of Donarski and Townsend kept the Tar Heels humming, while forcing Wake Forest to a multi-minute scoring drought to begin pulling away towards a victory. With a 7-0 run highlighted by back-to-back Grant makes, the Tar Heels extended its advantage by as many as 20 to close out Wake Forest. As Grant scored 10 of her points in the closing minutes, Carolina went on to earn the 76-51 win over Wake Forest.
The Tar Heels return to Carmichael Arena for a Sunday matinee to welcome Florida State and celebrate the past in their annual Alumni Day. Carolina tips off against the Seminoles at noon, airing nationally on ACC Network.
