Tar Heels crush Owls in NCAA tune-up

The No. 14 North Carolina women’s basketball team got off to a quick start against Kennesaw State on Sunday afternoon and never looked back.

The Tar Heels were up 13-0 when the Owls scored their first bucket with 14:27 left in the first half.

North Carolina led by 25 at halftime and, by the game’s end, UNC’s lead had ballooned to 46 as they blew out the Owls, 98-52.

The Tar Heels shot a blistering 48 percent from the field, but defense was the story in Carmichael Arena on Sunday.

North Carolina had too much size under the basket and Kennesaw State couldn’t find an opening on the offensive end amidst UNC’s length, limiting the Owls to 30 percent shooting.

UNC chalked up 11 blocks — the most it had recorded in more than two months since tallying 13 against North Carolina Central.

Moreover, North Carolina recorded a season-high 23 steals on 32 Kennesaw State turnovers.

UNC senior Jessica Breland knows this defensive intensity will be important entering the NCAA Tournament.

“Our defense is definitely going to be key,” she said. “Our offense comes off our defense.”

Five UNC players scored in double figures Sunday. The most notable Tar Heels were Waltiea Rolle, who posted 13 points and five blocks, and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, who matched Rolle’s 13 points while adding seven assists.

Ruffin-Pratt doubled her season-average of 5.8 points per game, even though she played only 18 minutes against the Owls.

That may have been due to the sophomore getting minutes at point guard, something she’s rarely gotten to do this season.

“I had Pratt in there at point guard at the end and, let me tell you, she could be a really good point guard,” UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell said. “She’s smart and passes the ball well.”

The team did not seem to be feeling any aftereffects from its loss in the ACC Tournament championship game to Duke last weekend. Hatchell said her team has moved on and is ready for the NCAA Tournament.

“This is what we worked for all year,” Hatchell said. “It’s a six-game season — play hard, smart and together, and you might be surprised by what happens.”

Every Tar Heel got to play — and score — Sunday.

“Even Nicole (Powell) and Candace (Wood),” senior Italee Lucas said. “It’s exciting when they get a chance to play.”

Powell scored three points in nine minutes after playing only 30 minutes all season before Sunday. Wood, who had only played 66 minutes this season, scored four points in 14 minutes.

Despite being a blowout, Sunday’s game was an emotional one for the UNC seniors, as it was their last chance to play in Carmichael Arena.

“Coach (Tracey) Williams (-Johnson) hugged me after the game and said, ‘This is your last game here,’” Breland said. “It didn’t really hit me until the game was over that this was our last game in Carmichael, but it felt good to be out here.”

Breland, who has struggled with her health this season, said she feels good heading into the postseason.

“The ACC Tournament was all heart. I was hurtin’ and my legs were gone, but I wanted it. I wanted to win the tournament and that drove me,” Breland said. “At this point in life and this point in the season, it’s not about how much you have in you, but how much you’re willing to give.”

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@dailytarheel.com.