Lexi Donarski scored 21 points and the Tar Heels played suffocating defense all night long in a 77-50 win against visiting UNC-Wilmington at Carmichael Arena on Thursday night.

Donarski finished 8-14 from the field and 5-11 on three-pointers in 30 minutes played. She and sophomore Reniya Kelly were the only Tar Heels to score in double figures on what was overall a poor shooting night. Carolina finished just 13-39 (33.3 percent) in the first half and 27-74 (36.5 percent) for the game.

Eleven different Tar Heels played and 10 scored. Arizona State transfer Trayanna Crisp and redshirt freshman Ciera Toomey combined for 17 points off the bench. For Toomey, a former five-star recruit, her nine points were the first of her collegiate career after missing the entirety of the 2023-24 season. True freshman Blanca Thomas continued to impress in limited action, scoring just two points but finishing with a +16 plus-minus rating in 15 minutes off the bench. She blocked two shots and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.

The Seahawks made just 17 shots on the night and shot below 30 percent from the floor. Carolina’s defense allowed just one make in the entire first quarter and 16 total points in the first half. Only one Seahawk finished with more than eight points.

The win improves Carolina to 2-0 on the young season. The Tar Heels will hit the road for their next matchup, visiting North Carolina A&T in Greensboro on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

 

Featured image via UNC Women’s Basketball on Twitter

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