University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
24-4,12-3ACC
Syracuse
10-16,4-11ACC
Carolina Pushes Past Syracuse, Remains Undefeated On The Road
February 20, 2025 | Women's Basketball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – In its first game ranked as a top-10 team this season, No. 9 North Carolina women's basketball fought off a pesky Syracuse team to come away with a 68-58 win from the JMA Wireless Dome. Carolina is now 8-0 on the road after earning its first win over the Orange on their home court since 2000.
Maria Gakdeng paced North Carolina (24-4, 12-3 ACC) in its sixth consecutive win and second straight over Syracuse (10-16, 4-11 ACC). Gakdeng tied her season-high with 21 points and grabbed a season-best 14 rebounds.
Joining her in double-figures, Trayanna Crisp tallied her fifth game this year in double-figures in her second game back from Injury with 12 points. Crisp shot 2-of-3 beyond the arc and added two steals. Indya Nivar also reached double-digits in scoring with 11 points, while snagging four rebounds.
Distributing the ball at a high rate, Reniya Kelly tied her career-best with six assists while scoring six points. Knocking down three triples, Lexi Donarski finished her night with nine points.
Kelly and Lexi Donarski picked up where they left off on Sunday, teaming up for Carolina's first points of the night. Trading buckets back and forth throughout the opening quarter, Crisp drained a late three for Carolina to lead 15-12 at the end of the first.
A 7-0 run in the latter half of the second allowed Carolina to create separation from the Orange, as Gakdeng impacted the game from the paint. Despite Syracuse shooting 4-of-8 from beyond the arc in the first half, Carolina's presence in the paint allowed it to take a 10-point lead at 35-25 heading into halftime.
As Gakdeng continued to cause problems for Syracuse on the inside, the Tar Heels built its lead to double-figures early in the third. Firing from beyond the arc, the Orange utilized the three ball to try and keep pace with Carolina. Back-to-back three's from Syracuse cut the Carolina advantage to five nearing the end of the quarter. Ending the third on a 7-2 run, provided UNC a double-figure lead with 10 minutes remaining at 55-45.
Not letting the Tar Heels go easily, Syracuse fought its way to the free throw line to come within six midway through the fourth. A 7-0 Carolina run cemented by a Donarski three re-built the Tar Heel lead to beyond 10 once again. With Crisp hitting a layup in the closing seconds, Carolina pulled away with the 68-58 win over Syracuse to move to 8-0 on the road.
Carolina remains on the away from Chapel Hill, heading to Louisville for its chance at a second quad away win against the Cardinals on Sunday. Tip from the KFC Yum! Center is set for 2 p.m. ET airing nationally on ESPN.
