A change of scenery – and an international flight – did nothing to slow down the UNC women’s basketball team’s hot start to the season. In their opening game of the Goombay Splash showcase in Bimini, Bahamas, the Tar Heels fought hard against the VCU Rams and pulled away late to keep their perfect record intact.

Sophomore forward Alyssa Ustby recorded her third double-double in five games this season against the Rams, leading all scorers with 23 points on 9-12 shooting and pulling down 10 rebounds. Ustby’s scoring total, shooting percentage and 39 minutes of game action were all season-best marks. Her 10.2 rebounds per game in the young season are also by far the best on the team.

Sophomore guard Deja Kelly impressed for the second straight game, putting in 15 points after scoring 25 against TCU on Sunday. Unlike her career game against the Horned Frogs, Kelly did not make a three-point shot, and the Tar Heels as a team hit just two on the day. Both makes belonged to Eva Hodgson, who scored 14 points in 29 minutes off the bench.

UNC found themselves trailing in the second half for the first time this season, when VCU led 41-40 in the third quarter on the strength of a 13-6 run. Five straight points from Hodgson got Carolina back on the right side of the scoreboard, and they wouldn’t trail again all game. A concerted defensive effort and efficient offense from the Tar Heels in the fourth quarter helped head coach Courtney Banghart’s team outscore the Rams 32-18 after VCU’s brief lead. In the final 10 minutes, UNC shot 7-13 (53.9 percent), while VCU struggled at just 6-16 (37.5 percent). Carolina outscored the Rams 22-14 in the period.

The 13 point margin is UNC’s closest result in five games, but the Tar Heels have still emerged victorious by double digits in each game this season. Carolina’s final game of the Goombay Splash will come Saturday at noon, when the team will face Washington. The Huskies fell to VCU, 60-47, on Thanksgiving day.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Sid Corrigan

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