Year two of the Courtney Banghart era got off to a running start on Wednesday afternoon at Carmichael Arena, as the UNC women’s basketball team cruised to a 90-61 victory over the Radford Highlanders.

Freshman point guard Deja Kelly showed why she was one of the top recruits in the country heading into the year, as she led the Tar Heels with 19 points while also contributing four rebounds and three assists.

Graduate transfer Petra Holešínská added 14 points for UNC, while also connecting on four of her eight attempts from three-point range.

Four other Tar Heels scored in double figures, with Kennedy Todd-Williams (13 points), Alyssa Ustby (13 points) and Anya Poole joining Kelly in accomplishing the feat in their first college game.

Senior forward Janelle Bailey–who tallied 10 points and six rebounds–was the only Tar Heel among the top six scorers who was on the team last season.

All 10 players who received playing time for UNC played at least 11 minutes, while nobody played more than 26 as Banghart seeks to find the best way to use the influx of new talent.

UNC jumped out to a 28-12 lead after the first quarter on Wednesday and never faced any serious challenge in the second half.

The Tar Heels also dominated the backboards to the tune of a 59-34 advantage in the rebounding category.

Radford was led by 13 points by senior guard Tina Lindenfeld.

Up Next:

UNC will look to improve to 2-0 on Saturday when it hosts UNC-Greensboro at 1 p.m.

 

 

FINAL BOX SCORE

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

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