The UNC women’s basketball team earned its first ACC victory of the season in upset fashion on Thursday night at Carmichael Arena, defeating the No. 18 Syracuse Orange by a score of 92-68.

Senior forward Janelle Bailey led the team with a season-high 25 points and eight rebounds in just 24 minutes of action, while freshman point guard Deja Kelly added a career-high 22 points and eight assists.

The Tar Heels (6-2, 1-2 ACC) also received 21 points from graduate transfer Petra Holešínská and 10 more from freshman Alyssa Ustby, as those four players combined for 78 of UNC’s 92 total points in the game.

By the end of the first quarter, the Tar Heels held a 21-9 lead and would go on to lead by double digits the rest of the way.

Syracuse (4-1, 1-1 ACC) shot just 29 percent from the field, which played a large part in UNC’s success–since the Tar Heels shot 47 percent on the other end.

This represents UNC’s first win over a ranked team since beating No. 9 NC State in January of 2020.

Up Next:

The Tar Heels will host Wake Forest on Sunday in a rematch of a game won by the Demon Deacons earlier this month. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.

 

 

FINAL BOX SCORE

 

 

 

Photo via Dana Gentry (UNC Athletics)

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