And although UNC didn't completely lean on Brown, who was the team's second-leading scorer last year, the Tar Heels did look to her to protect their lead in Wednesday's game against Wake Forest at Carmichael Auditorium.
With 4:27 left in the first half, North Carolina stretched its lead to 16 points.
But trouble was brewing for UNC down the stretch. The Demon Deacons stole a bit of momentum and cut the lead to six with 10:28 left in the second half.
Although Brown was only 1 of 4 from the field during the first half, hitting only a 3-pointer, her hand became hot at just the right time.
Her shot from behind the arc with 8:48 left in the game sparked the Tar Heels on a 9-0 run from which Wake Forest never recovered.
"In the first half, my shots just weren't falling," Brown said. "Nothing really changed in the second half, except my shots came together, and I found my rhythm."
Brown sank three treys in the second half and finished with 23 points to help the Tar Heels win their first conference game.
"When a team starts creeping in on our lead, it just makes our defense more intense," Brown said. "Offensively things were pretty spread out. I didn't feel any pressure to perform."
UNC shouldn't often have to depend on Brown, but like last year, she is a consistent offensive threat.
