UNC Women's Basketball wins Battle 4 Atlantis opener over Ball State
One down, two more to go!
52. 2246. Ball State. 63. 441. Final
The UNC women's basketball program started their run in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament with a victory over Ball State on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Tar Heels advance to the tournament semi-finals, as they await the winner of Saturday night's game between Texas A&M and Villanova.
While both teams started sluggish, it was North Carolina who got going first. With the score tied up at 10, North Carolina went on a 9-0 run guided by three field goals from beyond-the-arc (from three different Tar Heels!). Lexi Donarski started the run, while Lanie Grant and Alyssa Ustby joined in on the action to extend the lead to 9.
Even though Ball State made every effort to stay in the game, North Carolina wouldn't salvage the lead. The Cardinals cut the Tar Heels lead to as little as four points, but that's as close as they would get, given that North Carolina seemed to have an answer everytime Ball State got going offensively.
Grant was outstanding off the bench for the UNC women's basketball program, leading the Tar Heels with 15 points. The freshman was 3-6 from the floor, including 3-4 from three-point range, knocking down six of her seven free throw attempts on the night.
Trayanna Crisp also provided strong minutes off the bench, finishing the night with 12 points. Alyssa Ustby was back to her normal self, recording a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double performance. The fifth-year senior recorded her 1,000th career rebound in the victory.
It was great to see the UNC women's basketball program knocking down shots from all over the floor, especially from beyond-the-arc. The best part about it is that multiple Tar Heels knocked down three-point field goal attempts, as this game was definitely a step in the right direction as North Carolina looks to get in a full groove as the season rolls along.
Regardless of who they play, the Tar Heels have another tough challenge ahead on Sunday. Can they overcome this challenge to clinch a spot in Monday's championship bout?
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