Hot-Shooting UNC Women's Basketball Torches James Madison, Moves to 8-0

Another weekend, another dominant performance from head coach Courtney Banghart’s UNC women’s basketball team.

The Tar Heels notched their eighth consecutive win to start the season Sunday afternoon, using a scorching-hot offense to down visiting James Madison, 93-47.

Final from Carmichael and we're 8⃣-0⃣ ✅

Today's 66.7% shooting from 3-point range (10-15) is the best single-game performance in @ncaawbb DI so far this year 🎯#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/8P79A2u1oW

— Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) December 5, 2021

This is the second time in three seasons the women’s basketball team has started 8-0. Carolina has not started 9-0 since the 2014-15 season.

Sophomore guard Deja Kelly, UNC’s leading scorer on the season, once again filled it up with 21 points on 7-15 shooting, including 3-4 from three-point range. Kelly has scored in double figures in each game this season. The ever-consistent Alyssa Ustby wasn’t far behind with 18 points in just 19 minutes of play. She shot an efficient 8-11 from the floor, moving her season field goal percentage to 51.0.

“I thought the game was really good for us, a really good win at home,” Kelly said. “We shared the ball well and played well on the defensive end, getting stops that led to offense. It was just a fun game and it felt really good to be back in Carmichael.”

The game was Carolina’s first in Chapel Hill since November 17 against Appalachian State.

Junior transfer Eva Hodgson set a season-high with seven assists, but her best highlight came early in the fourth quarter, when a three-pointer gave her 1,000 career points.

“It’s amazing to be able to achieve that, especially with this group of people, and against JMU makes it even more special, because that’s a team I’ve played the past 2 to 3 years,” said Hodgson, who faced off against the Dukes while playing for William & Mary. “I give a big credit to my teammates for just finding me and being intentional with getting me those shots today.”

Hodgson was one of six Tar Heels to hit a three-point jumper on the day. As a team, Carolina knocked down 10 of its 15 three-pointers, which is the best single-game rate for any Division I team this season with a minimum of 10 makes.

“I was excited for Carmichael to see the growth of this team,” Banghart said. “I thought it was the best we’ve been all year at sharing the basketball, which led to great shots.”

UNC exploded out of the gate to lead 12-0, and never trailed in the game. The Tar Heels have still not trailed at any point at home this season. Their 93 points scored is a season-high, and the 47 points allowed will move their points against average, already in the nation’s top 10, even lower than its splendid 48.9 mark coming into Sunday. The Tar Heels have won six games this season by 20 or more points, though the 46-point margin of victory is still not their largest of the year. Carolina defeated Charlotte by 56 points in November.

Like the men’s basketball team, the women will now have the coming week off for final exams. The Tar Heels will be back in action on Sunday, December 12, when UNC-Asheville visits Carmichael Arena.

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jeffrey A. Camarati

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Hot-Shooting UNC Women’s Basketball Torches James Madison, Moves to 8-0

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