North Carolina
19-4,7-3ACC
#19 California
18-4,6-3ACC
WBB Hands No. 19 California First Home Loss, 65-52
January 31, 2025 | Women's Basketball
BERKELEY, Calif. – Heading in to face off against a No. 19 California team with an unblemished record at home, No. 15 North Carolina women's basketball put on a defensive clinic to hand the Golden Bears their first home loss, 65-52 from Haas Pavilion on Thursday night. Carolina moves to 4-0 in ACC road play for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
Earning its third ranked win on the road in the Courtney Banghart era, North Carolina (19-4, 7-3 ACC) limited California (18-4, 6-3 ACC) to 5-of-17 from beyond the arc as the Tar Heels become the first team in the Atlantic Coast Conference to win its opening game of the West Coast swing.
Scoring in double-figures for the second straight game, Reniya Kelly tallied 16 points off of seven made field goals along with two steals. Continuing to make it happen offensively, Alyssa Ustby came in with 11 points and seven rebounds.
Grabbing at team-high 13 rebounds, Maria Gakdeng tallied double-figure rebounds for the fourth game this season as the Tar Heels tore it up in the paint with 28 points.
Leading the bench, Lanie Grant recorded double-figures in scoring for the fourth consecutive game as the UNC reserves outscored its 22nd opponent this season.
Starting out strong, Indya Nivar scored all seven of her points within the first 10 minutes as Carolina scored in bursts throughout the first quarter. Asserting itself defensively from deep, UNC held one of the ACC's hottest teams from deep to 0-of-4 in the opening frame. As the combo of Kelly and Nivar combined for 11 out of 16 Carolina's points in the first 10 minutes, UNC snagged a narrow 16-12 lead.
Heating up from the field, Carolina nailed four straight buckets to build more of a decisive lead over the Golden Bears midway through the second. With California responding with a 6-0 run, UNC kicked its defense into high gear. Shutting down the Golden Bears for the final four minutes of the half, Carolina took advantage with seven straight points to carry a 33-26 advantage into the break.
Coming out with back-to-make makes out of the break, Carolina jumped ahead by double-figures for the first time of the night within the opening minute of the second half. Heating up from beyond the arc, California drained two three's and added a layup in a frenzy to pull within five to force a UNC timeout. Falling into a scoring drought, Carolina felt Cal take advantage of the scoring drought and force a one-possession game midway through the third. Kelly made her way to the rim to break the slump, as a Grant three provided a bit of a spark to the Tar Heels. In a physical battle, Cal kept making its way to the free throw line to force a tight score heading into the fourth with Carolina up 47-45.
Jumping out with five straight points due to making it count at the charity stripe, Carolina put its foot on the gas and began to shut down the Golden Bears en route to close out the game. With Kelly lighting it up with eight points in the closing minutes, UNC held California to seven points in the final quarter to go on and earn the 65-52 victory on the Golden Bears' home court.
The Tar Heels remain out west, wrapping up their time in the Bay Area with a visit to Stanford on Sunday. The matinee from Maples Pavilion tips at 12 p.m. ET, airing nationally on The CW.
