University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
29-7,13-5ACC
West Virginia
25-8,13-5Big 12
WBB Staves Off West Virginia In Second Round of NCAA Tournament, Advances To Sweet 16
March 24, 2025 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Trading blows in a defensive stand-off with No. 6 seeded West Virginia in the Second Round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament on Monday night from Carmichael Arena, No. 3 seeded North Carolina earned a trip to the Sweet 16 with a 58-47 victory. Carolina advances to its 19th overall Sweet 16 and its second in the last four seasons.
Scoring 58 points on a highly touted defense, North Carolina (29-7, 13-5 ACC) ended West Virginia's (25-7, 13-5 Big 12) season as the Tar Heels advance to their first Sweet 16 since 2022. Holding its second straight opponent under 50 points, Carolina held back-to-back opponents under 50 points for the second time and first since 1995.
Posting a career-best 21 points in an NCAA Tournament game, Alyssa Ustby put on a show in her last game in Carmichael Arena adding seven rebounds, four steals and three steals. Coming in clutch down the stretch, both Lexi Donarski and Reniya Kelly added double-figures in scoring with 11 points each.
Leading Carolina off the glass, Indya Nivar snagged a season-high 10 rebounds along with six points, two blocks and two assists. Maria Gakdeng also made her presence known on the inside with nine total boards including six on the offensive end.
Jumping out to a 6-0 run from the tip, the defensive pressure from both teams was intense right away. Forcing five West Virginia turnovers in the first quarter, Carolina cashed in the miscues for eight points to remain knotted up through one at 12 all.
Working to earn solid looks from the field, Carolina broke through to re-take the lead off of going through the paint. Limiting West Virginia without a point for over three and a half minutes, the Tar Heels began to build their advantage while the Mountaineers struggled to hit their shots. Posting five points in the final two minutes of the first half, Carolina remained ahead with a narrow advantage at 24-21.
Making it happen from the inside, the Tar Heels dictated the pace while extending their advantage by as many as seven early on in the third. The Mountaineers responded, slowing Carolina down and without a bucket to meet the Tar Heels at 33. Taking off on a 9-0 run highlighted by a Donarski triple, the Tar Heels began to put the Mountaineers in the rear view leading 45-38 through three.
Taking over, Ustby scored six points in the final quarter as Carolina began to widen the gap as the clock neared zero. Forcing another West Virginia drought, North Carolina extended its lead by double-figures midway through the fourth with excitement building throughout Carmichael. Fending off a potential WVU comeback, it came up all Carolina when the clock hit zero as the Tar Heels ran off with the 58-47 victory.
A familiar foe awaits in Birmingham, as Carolina is set to face No. 2 seeded Duke from Legacy Arena on Friday. The two teams meet for the first time in the NCAA Tournament, with the Elite 8 on the line. Tip time and television designation are to be determined.
