UNC routs Bucs to remain undefeated

Routs such as the one between the No. 5 North Carolina women's basketball team and Charleston Southern are often summed up in one incredulous statistic.

Tuesday, UNC dominated the second half by a score of 48-13.

The Tar Heels went on to defeat the Buccaneers 88-33 at Carmichael Auditorium.

With six minutes to go in the second half, only one starter, senior Nikita Bell, remained on the court.

The game gave freshmen LaToya Pringle and Alex Miller a chance to gain playing time.

Pringle made 6-of-6 shots from the field and sunk 5 of her 6 free throws.

"I was just happy that she showed what she can do," said sophomore Camille Little. "I'm glad that she stepped up tonight."

Pringle was anemic before she began preseason practice with the Tar Heels (3-0). She said she felt tired after her 13 minutes on the court, but added that she was happy that she finally had a decent game.

With nine minutes remaining in the second half, freshman Erlana Larkins muscled a defensive rebound and shot a pass from Charleston Southern's end of the court to Pringle near the post. Pringle went up for a shot that circled the rim and went in.

UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell knew her bench players had it in them from the start.

"Our younger players just need some experience," Hatchell said. "We don't make many mistakes in recruiting, and when I recruited (Pringle), I knew she had great hands, great touch, she has long arms, and she can move out there."

Of course, the Tar Heel starters who came off Sunday's intense battle and ultimate victory against Connecticut were on task as well.

Little shot 56 percent from the field Tuesday, and Ivory Latta made 42 percent.

The Tar Heels had a solid defensive effort with a total of 16 steals and seven blocks.

"They're very aggressive," said CSU coach Stephanie Lawrence Yelton. "They'll knock the ball right out of your hands. ... They create those opportunities for themselves with that defensive pressure."

UNC held the Bucs without a point for the first six minutes of the second half.

Yelton is familiar with North Carolina's style of play, as the coach was a member of the Tar Heels' 1994 NCAA Championship team.

"I know they got great girls on the team now, but I gotta pull for the '94 team," Yelton said when asked to compare her team to the present. "I wish this team that luck and the best experience that they can have."

The Bucs likely were hoping that UNC would overlook them after the close match against then-No. 4 Connecticut.

"Sunday's over," Hatchell told her team before the game. "This is another game, and we've got to get focused."

Little said she's kept to herself since Sunday, only leaving her room for class and then taking the long way to avoid attention.

"I was happy, but I knew we had a game tonight," she said. "I tried to forget about Sunday. I didn't really try to hold onto it too long, because it's over with now."

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.