The UNC women’s basketball team came up short in its first big rivalry game of the season on Thursday afternoon, as the NC State Wolfpack traveled into Chapel Hill and left Carmichael Arena with a 66-53 victory.

Junior guard Paris Kea led the Tar Heels with 16 points, while freshman forward Janelle Bailey chipped in nine points and a game-high 12 rebounds for head coach Sylvia Hatchell’s squad.

After trailing 32-26 at halftime, UNC came out of the locker room strong in the second half. The Tar Heels ripped off the first seven points in the period, before ultimately taking a 42-38 lead.

Led by guard Kaila Easley–who scored a game-high 22 points while making eight of her 11 shot attempts (3-4 3PT)–the Wolfpack weren’t about to go down easy.

NC State closed the third quarter on a 14-2 run to wrestle the lead back for good, extending the margin to double digits early in the fourth quarter with a jumper from Kiara Leslie.

For the game, the Wolfpack shot nearly 46 percent from the floor while holding UNC to just under 33 percent. NC State also won the rebounding battle 41-29.

Up Next:

The Tar Heels will face another hated rival–No. 15 Duke–this Sunday at Carmichael Arena. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m.

Fans are being encouraged to arrive early, in order to attend a ceremony held by UNC honoring Coach Hatchell’s 1000th career victory.

 

FINAL BOX SCORE

 

 

Photo via Jeffrey A. Camarati (UNC Athletics)

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