The North Carolina women's basketball team set the tone for this weekend's games on Friday night against Fairleigh Dickinson.
In the first game of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge, which also features Yale and Iona, the Tar Heels walked away with a 64-46 win over the Knights at Carmichael Arena.
Initially, UNC (2-2) struggled to break past Fairleigh Dickinson, as the Knights tied the game at 6 with about four minutes left in the first period. But in a late surge of aggression, North Carolina ended the period with a 16-10 lead.
In the second period, Fairleigh Dickinson (0-2) increased its level of competition. The Knights whittled the Tar Heels' lead to two points with just over two minutes left in the half.
But a jump shot by first-year guard Destinee Walker was enough to shift the momentum in UNC’s favor. In the remaining minutes, North Carolina turned on the attack, resulting in a 30-22 halftime lead for the Tar Heels.
The Tar Heels hit their stride in the second half. UNC extended its lead into double-digits in the third period on a made jumper by senior guard N'Dea Bryant, and the Tar Heels continued to coast ahead of the Knights.
But in the onset of the fourth period, an unexpected obstacle threatened UNC’s ability to continue its dominance both in this game and the rest of the tournament.
A Fairleigh Dickinson player accidentally thrust their hand into the face of sophomore guard Jamie Cherry, breaking her nose and forcing her to sit out for the rest of the game.
Although Coach Sylvia Hatchell later said Cherry would likely play in the remaining tournament games while wearing a protective mask, the sophomore was forced to support her team from the sidelines for the rest of Friday's game.
