Make it seven consecutive victories to begin the first season under new head coach Courtney Banghart for the UNC women’s basketball team, which had five player score in double figures on Thursday night at Carmichael Arena on the way to an 85-60 blowout victory over Illinois.
Senior Taylor Koenen led the charge with a career-high 23 points and 11 rebounds, while junior Janelle Bailey (13 points, 11 rebounds) and senior Shayla Bennett (11 points, 10 assists) each chipped in double-doubles as well.
In addition, junior Leah Church added 13 points off the bench and Medinah Muhammad scored 12 to represent the fifth, and final, Tar Heel in double figures.
The outcome was never in doubt in this game, as UNC built a commanding 29-11 lead by the end of the first quarter and never looked back. Over the rest of the night, Illinois (6-2) never managed to pull back within 14 points.
For the game, UNC shot 48.5 percent from the floor and assisted on 22 of its 32 made shots.
“I’ve asked them to recognize that their strength is their depth and their balance, and 22 assists on 32 made field goals speaks to that,” Banghart said afterwards. “We’re all trying to do the same thing and that is bring this team as far as it can go. We all have a piece in that and people are bringing what they can to that table.”
Up Next:
The Tar Heels will look to extend their record to 8-0 in their next game on Sunday, when they host N.C. Central at 2 p.m.
Photo via UNC Athletics
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