Carolina led 23-7 at the end of the first quarter and by as many as 27 points in the second half against Florida at the Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte on Wednesday night as the Tar Heels rolled to a 77-57 win against the Gators.

Carolina shot a scorching 9-15 (60 percent) from the floor in the opening 10 minutes to build the early lead. Six different Tar Heels scored in the quarter, led by freshman Lanie Grant’s six points. Grant was the only Tar Heel in double figures at halftime with 10, and Carolina led 41-20. UNC shot 8-16 (50 percent) in the second quarter and 17-31 (54.8 percent) in the first half.

After a hot start to the third quarter ballooned the Carolina lead to 51-24, the Gators made a push with 14 straight points to cut the lead to 13 at 51-38. But Carolina responded with eight straight points to stop the bleeding and was never truly threatened the rest of the way.

Maria Gakdeng continued her strong run of play, leading the team in points (14) and rebounds (eight). The former Boston College transfer has now reached double figures in five of her last six games since missing the Battle 4 Atlantis with an injury. Grant (13 points) and Alyssa Ustby (11) also finished in double figures. Twelve of the 13 Tar Heels to play on the night scored at least one point.

Carolina has now held opponents to fewer than 60 points 11 times in 13 games this season. The Tar Heels are undefeated in such games. All 11 of UNC’s wins have come by at least 11 points. Carolina is now 11-2 overall on the season and will play its final non-conference game of the regular season against Norfolk State at Carmichael Arena at 12 p.m. on December 21.

 

Featured image via UNC Women’s Basketball on Twitter

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