Alyssa Ustby's Triple-Double Leads UNC Women's Basketball Past No. 25 Syracuse

Alyssa Ustby recorded the first triple-double in the history of the UNC women’s basketball program Thursday night, scoring 16 points, grabbing 16 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists in Carolina’s 75-51 win over No. 25 Syracuse.

2-0 in ACC play ✅#GoHeels | #InPursuit | @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/JcA5RqodRz

— Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) January 5, 2024

“It’s not just a triple double; she shattered it,” head coach Courtney Banghart said afterward. “There are so many jerseys of really, really good players that have played through this program. And to know that she’s the only one who’s gotten a triple-double here… she should make all you Tar Heel fans proud.”

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Ustby said. “I’m just really glad to be surrounded by so many teammates that encourage me and celebrate me.”

Ustby had already recorded a career-high in assists in the first half, reaching nine with 4:12 remaining in the second quarter. It was all part of a generous offensive effort from the Tar Heels, who dished out 19 as a team.

Many of Ustby’s assists went to center Maria Gakdeng. The Boston College transfer crushed the Orange in the post, tying a career high with 22 points on 9-12 shooting. She had only scored seven points in her previous two games combined.

“We’ve asked her to do so much more on both ends than she had to do either of her first two years,” Banghart said. “Every game matters and every possession matters. She’s gotten so much better.”

Carolina controlled most of the game, but saw what was a 10-point lead in the second quarter whittled down to two points at halftime. Syracuse closed the half on a 7-0 run to close to within 32-30. The Tar Heels shot 50 percent as a team in the quarter, but committed six of their 14 turnovers in the period as well to keep the Orange in it.

The tide completely shifted in the third quarter, when Carolina exploded out of the gate on a 19-2 run and outscored the Orange 25-6 over the 10-minute period. Wing Lexi Donarski scored eight of her 14 points in the quarter, and Ustby added five points, seven rebounds and an assist to secure her place in history with a quarter to spare. After scoring her 10th point on a free throw, she exited the game to a standing ovation from the Carmichael Arena crowd. Banghart appeared to tell Ustby the good news as she went to the bench.

“I could hear fans yelling at me that I’m close to it,” Ustby said. “So when I was at the free throw line, I was like ‘Ooh!’ That was amazing.”

Ustby is only the third Tar Heel basketball player, regardless of gender, to record a triple-double. Jason Capel and Brendan Haywood both did so for the men’s program in 2000.

UNC is now 10-4 on the season and 2-0 in ACC play, having won four straight games. Up next is a challenging road trip to No. 16 Notre Dame, with tip-off in South Bend scheduled for Sunday at 5 p.m.

Featured image via UNC Women’s Basketball on Twitter

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Alyssa Ustby’s Triple-Double Leads UNC Women’s Basketball Past No. 25 Syracuse

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