Fast start leads to blowout: 3 takeaways from UNC women’s rout of Florida in Charlotte
The North Carolina women’s basketball team emerged victorious in dominant fashion Tuesday night.
Early in their 77-57 win over Florida at the Jumpman Invitational, the Tar Heels were firing on all cylinders.
UNC, ranked No. 19 in the AP Top 25 women’s college basketball poll, took a commanding lead during the opening stages. It was a balanced offensive effort throughout, and the Carolina lead ballooned to as many as 27 points early in the second half.
“I thought we would shoot it better than we did (Tuesday),” Tar Heels head coach Courtney Banghart said. “I mean, gosh, we were 9-for-34 from (3-point range). We don’t take contested threes. So, we were shooting 26% from the open 3-point line. And still win by 20.
“That’s a good defensive effort. We’re better at the line. Obviously, we can play fast, we can play big and we can play skilled — that’s a good offense, right?”
The Tar Heels (11-2) return to Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill to play Norfolk State at noon Saturday.
Here are three takeaways from North Carolina’s game in Charlotte:
Big game from UNC freshman Lanie Grant
Lanie Grant put together one of her best performances as a Tar Heel.
Grant, a freshman, finished with 13 points and reached double-figures early. It’s the second-most points she’s scored — Grant previously set her career-high with a 15-point game on Nov. 23 against Ball State.
“I take all my confidence from my preparation and work that I know that I’ve put in,” Grant said. “Coach is very confident in my skills on the offensive end, so I have the freedom to kind of get my teammates involved and look for my own shots. The biggest adjustment for me is on the defensive end, not even guarding the ball but just being in the right spots off the ball.”
UNC’s other key freshmen — Blanca Thomas, a Charlotte Catholic graduate, and Jordan Zubich — also saw the floor at Spectrum Center. Thomas hit a late free throw in her return to the Queen City.
Impressive play in the post from Maria Gakdeng
The Tar Heels’ offense wasted no time jumping ahead on Wednesday.
An early 11-0 run helped UNC build a 22-7 advantage following the conclusion of the opening quarter. It was forcing Florida to turn the ball over — including eight quick points off the Gators.
Senior center Maria Gakdeng was the leading scorer for Carolina, finishing with 14 points on 5 of 6 shots. She limited Florida star Ra Shaya Kyle — to whom she gave up significant size — to eight points on just a pair of field goals.
“Every game we take pride in defense,” Gakdeng said. “Knowing she would be a big rebounder and scorer, I knew it was going to be a big game for me. But I knew I also had to attack her on offense, get her in foul trouble early — and that’s how we took the lead early.
“I’m used to it. I mean, with (Kamilla) Cardoso, or (Elizabeth) Kitley. I’m used to it.”
Alyssa Ustby climbing the ladder in Carolina record books
Carolina’s leading scorer added another milestone to her illustrious career.
Alyssa Ustby, the graduate student who finished with 11 points on 4 of 9 shots Wednesday, moved up to No. 23 overall in scoring in UNC program history.
Ustby now has 1,573 career points, passing Cetera DeGraffenreid, who played at Carolina from 2007-11. She now trails Stephanie Watts, the WNBA guard who’s from Wesley Chapel and attended Weddington.
“(Ustby) is incredibly selfless,” Banghart said. “She’s your motor. She’s a relentless competitor. How she plays is how she practices. When your best guy goes that — gives you everything she has, whether it’s Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday — it lets you coach the rest of the team.
“People who know our program know that she is the jewel of it, but at the same time, she’s so selfless. All she cares about is winning. If I ask her how many points she had tonight, she won’t have any idea.”
This story was originally published December 18, 2024 at 10:15 PM.
