UNC Basketball: Deja Kelly’s career-high leads Tar Heel women to victory

The UNC women’s basketball program beat the Clemson Tigers behind a career performance from sophomore guard Deja Kelly.

Deja Kelly notched a new career-high in points on Sunday night, scoring 31 and leading the undefeated North Carolina Tar Heels to an 81-62 victory over the Clemson Tigers.

Kelly, who beat her previous career-best of 25 points set on November 21, hit 10-of-22 shots for the game and 5-of-11 from three-point range. She also connected on 6-for-7 at the free throw line to go along with four rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. And despite heavy usage and her hands on the ball for most of the game, Kelly committed just one turnover.

She got plenty of help from her supporting cast, as three other Tar Heels scored in double-figures. Kennedy Todd-Williams stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, eight rebounds, five steals and three assists, and Alyssa Ustby gave the Tar Heels 10 points, six steals, five rebounds and four assists. Anya Poole scored six points and pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds, while reserve guard Eva Hodgson scored 10.

North Carolina shot just under 40 percent for the game and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc. They converted 19-for-26 at the foul line, outrebounded the Tigers by five and came up with 18 steals. The victory moves North Carolina to 13-0 overall and 3-0 in conference play.

Clemson, now 6-8 on the season and 0-3 in ACC games, was led by 16 points from reserve guard Delicia Washington. Kiara Lewis scored 11 points and Amari Robinson had 10 in the losing effort. Clemson had a staggering 25 turnovers and committed 25 personal fouls, and converted just 5-of-17 from long-range.

The Tar Heels will take the court next on Thursday night when they face off with their toughest opposition of the season to this point, the No. 5 North Carolina State Wolfpack.

Check back with us for coverage of that game and all the latest on the UNC women’s basketball program.