The last time UNC women’s basketball hosted NC State in Carmichael Arena, the game ended with the Tar Heels celebrating after an upset win.

Sunday’s game was no different.

Courtney Banghart and the Tar Heels repeated history — defeating No. 4 NC State 76-69 in Chapel Hill. It’s the third year in a row that UNC women’s basketball has knocked off a Top 10-ranked NC State team.

The Tar Heels were highlighted by freshman Alyssa Ustby, who scored a career-high 20 points in the win. Ustby also led the team with 12 rebounds and was a perfect 4-4 from three-point range. She rebounded in a big way after going scoreless against Florida State earlier last week.

Overall, UNC had four players score in double figures with Ustby, Stephanie Watts (17 points), Petra Holešínská (15 points) and Janelle Bailey (10 points).

The game shifted back and forth before UNC grabbed a lead late in the fourth quarter. The Wolfpack were hurt when leading-scorer Elissa Cunane fouled out of the game with several minutes remaining.

The loss drops NC State to 12-2 on the season, as well as 7-2 in ACC play. The win for UNC snapped a three-game losing streak and improved the Tar Heels’ record to 9-8 overall and 4-8 in conference play.

Featured image via UNC Athletics

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
Report: Russian Prospect Elizaveta Astakhova Commits to UNC Women's Basketball
According to a report from On3’s Talia Goodman, Elizaveta Astakhova, a six-foot-one wing who spent the 2024-25 basketball season playing professionally in Russia, committed to head coach Courtney Banghart and UNC Tuesday afternoon. NEWS: Russian 2025 prospect Elizaveta Astakhova has committed to North Carolina, her agents Tequan Dean and Alex Karavanen told @On3sports. The 6-1 […]
Report: UNC Women's Basketball to Compete in 4-Team Las Vegas Event
Head coach Courtney Banghart and the Tar Heels are reportedly heading out west early in the 2025-26 season. According to women’s college basketball insider Mitchell Northam of SB Nation, UNC will compete in a four-team, two-day event in Las Vegas this coming November. Joining Carolina in the event will be South Florida, Fairfield and UCLA. […]
UNC's Alyssa Ustby, Maria Gakdeng Each Sign WNBA Contracts
Two former Tar Heel women’s basketball stars are getting their shots at the pros. UNC’s Alyssa Ustby signed a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Sparks Tuesday morning, and Maria Gakdeng signed with the Atlanta Dream later that day. The Sparks have signed Alyssa Ustby as an undrafted free agent. Welcome to Los Angeles, Alyssa! […]
UCLA Transfer Elina Aarnisalo Signs With UNC Women's Basketball
Guard Elina Aarnisalo, who spent her freshman season at UCLA, signed with head coach Courtney Banghart and the UNC women’s basketball program Tuesday morning. Aarnisalo has three seasons of collegiate eligibility remaining. Welcome to Blue Heaven 🙌 Excited to have Elina join the squad! pic.twitter.com/YmdCzPCHBs — Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) April 15, 2025 Aarnisalo, originally […]
Louisville Transfer Nyla Harris Signs With UNC Women's Basketball
Nyla Harris, who spent the previous three seasons with Louisville, signed with head coach Courtney Banghart and the Tar Heels out of the transfer portal Friday morning. Harris will have one year of eligibility remaining. Lookin’ Good in Carolina Blue 🩵 Welcome Nyla! pic.twitter.com/ImiW7B5JBm — Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) April 4, 2025 “Nyla is the […]
UNC's Trayanna Crisp Enters Transfer Portal After 1 Season in Chapel Hill
After spending her junior season with the UNC women’s basketball program, wing Trayanna Crisp has entered her name back into the transfer portal. Crisp transferred to Carolina in the 2024 offseason after playing her first two seasons at Arizona State. Crisp appeared in 28 games this season with one start, averaging 5.6 points, 1.5 rebounds […]
UNC Women's Basketball Falls to No. 2 Duke in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
UNC women’s basketball put up its worst offensive showing of the season in a 47-38 loss to No. 2 seed Duke in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 Friday afternoon in Birmingham, AL, ending Carolina’s tournament run. The poor showing came after an extremely bright start for the Tar Heels, who led 11-0 midway through the […]
UNC Women's Basketball in the 2025 NCAA Tournament: How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off Time
No. 3 seed UNC is headed to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 for the first time since 2022, and the Tar Heels will face No. 2 seed Duke in Birmingham, AL Friday for the right to advance to the regional finals Sunday. If you aren’t making the trip with the Tar Heels, here’s how to […]
Chansky's Notebook: Happening Again
UNC and Duke faced each other for the first time in the NCAA Tournament three years ago. It's happening again today with their women’s teams.
UNC Women's Basketball Opponent Breakdown: Duke
No. 3 seed UNC will face a familiar opponent in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 Friday afternoon: No. 2 seed Duke, which defeated No. 15 Lehigh and No. 10 Oregon to reach the regional semifinals. The Blue Devils are 28-7 overall this season and finished 14-4 in ACC play. Here’s a quick breakdown of Duke: […]
›