Photos: No. 16 North Carolina defeats No. 14 Kentucky in ACC/SEC Challenge
By Kaitlin McKeown
North Carolina’s Alyssa Ustby reacts after knocking down a three-pointer during the first half of the Tar Heels’ game against Kentucky on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Kaitlin McKeown
kmckeown@newsobserver.com
No. 16 North Carolina defeated No. 14 Kentucky 72-53 in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Thursday at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
The Tar Heels recorded their fifth-straight win with help from sophomore guard Reniya Kelly, who scored a season-high 18 points.
North Carolina will face Coppin State on Dec. 8th.
North Carolina’s Reniya Kelly and Alyssa Ustby react in the closing seconds of the Tar Heels’ 72-53 win over Kentucky on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Alyssa Ustby and Reniya Kelly force a jump ball with Kentucky’s Georgia Amoore during the second half of theTar Heels’ 72-53 win on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina head coach Courtney Banghart reacts on the sidelines during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 72-53 win over Kentucky on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Maria Gakdeng powers to the basket against Kentucky’s Clara Silva during the first half of the Tar Heels’ game on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Alyssa Ustby pressures Kentucky’s Georgia Amoore during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 72-53 win on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Alyssa Ustby (1) celebrates with teammates at the conclusion of the Tar Heels’ 72-53 win over Kentucky on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Trayanna Crisp looks to drive around Kentucky’s Dazia Lawrence during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 72-53 win on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina head coach Courtney Banghart reacts during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 72-53 win over Kentucky on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Kentucky’s Clara Silva and North Carolina’s Lexi Donarski scramble for a loose ball during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 72-53 win on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Alyssa Ustby shoots over Kentucky’s Amelia Hassett during the first half of the Tar Heels’ game on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina head coach Courtney Banghart gives instructions to her team during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 72-53 win over Kentucky on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Indya Nivar and Alyssa Ustby battle for a rebound with Kentucky’s Teonni Key during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 72-53 win on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Alyssa Ustby reacts after knocking down a three-pointer during the first half of the Tar Heels’ game against Kentucky on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Ciera Toomey shoots over Kentucky’s Teonni Key during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 72-53 win on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Kentucky head coach Kenny Brooks and North Carolina head coach Courtney Banghart share a laugh prior to the Tar Heels’ game against the Wildcats on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Kayla McPherson, center, rallies her teammates in the huddle prior to the Tar Heels’ game against Kentucky in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
This story was originally published December 5, 2024 at 8:36 PM.
