UNC women's basketball team dominates in season opener

There was no looking back for the North Carolina women’s basketball team after North Florida took a two-point lead to open UNC’s season Friday.

The Tar Heels immediately demanded a change of pace with three sunk free throws and an offensive put-back by sophomore Waltiea Rolle. Within two minutes of tipoff, UNC was en route to an assertive 110-41 victory.

Rolle showcased her newfound strength and improvement from last season as UNC blew past North Florida, posting a game-high 72-point lead near the end of the second half.

“She’s gotten a lot better, but a lot of it is just physical strength,” UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell said. “Last year you bump her, and she goes flying through the air. This year she’s the one doing the bumping.”

Finishing with four blocks and double-digit points, Rolle was one of three Tar Heels to post 11 points along with juniors Chay Shegog and She’la White.

But it was senior guard Italee Lucas who shone for UNC in the team’s season debut.

Although she looked frustrated with her shots in the beginning of the game, a fast-break layup and rediscovered shooting rhythm toward the end of the first half put Lucas at ease.

“First half, my shot wasn’t really falling, but I was trying to pick it up elsewhere as far as boxing out and the little things like that,” Lucas said. “During the second half we tried to focus more on finishing and getting our focus back.”

The guard posted 21 points for the night, going 5-for-8 from beyond the arc, and was all smiles as her shots sank from the three-point range. Even then, though, the senior was dissatisfied.

Despite the high score and playing time seen for 12 of the Tar Heels’ 13 players, Hatchell and the team are focused on the changes needed before ACC play.

The Tar Heels missed multiple layups, struggling to finish shots throughout the night. But 13 3-pointers — three of which came from mono-stricken freshman Shannon Smith — built a lead the Ospreys couldn’t near.

“We shot the ball good from the three, and the tempo was in our favor,” Hatchell said. “It’s good to get a good win and get rolling.”

The Tar Heels also powered past UNF defensively, outrebounding the Ospreys 65-33. Capitalizing on physical pressure, UNC finished with an 86 percent success rate from the free throw line.

Most unhappy with the night, though, was Jessica Breland. Head hung low, the forward constantly reiterated her frustration with her eight-point, 11-rebound game — an “off night” for the senior who posted a double-double in exhibition play last week.

It was clear that Breland still has high expectations for her senior season, despite returning for the first time after a yearlong battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“As an adult and being mature, I know that I need to work on certain things and go out there and get it done,” Breland said.

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.