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The Daily Tar Heel

UNC women's basketball wins second straight against Radford, 79-46

Emily Sullivan celebrating

Sophomore Emily Sullivan (11) celebrates with her teammates in North Carolina's win over Radford in Carmichael Arena.

The North Carolina women’s basketball team defeated Radford 79-46 on Thursday night in a sloppy affair that saw 41 combined turnovers. The win improved UNC’s record to 2-1 on the season. 

What happened?

After scoring 52 points in her first two games for the Tar Heels (2-1), redshirt junior guard Paris Kea put her team up 2-0 over Radford (1-1) on an acrobatic inbounds play just 33 seconds into the game. Kea leapt into the air, grabbed the ball and swiftly deposited it through the hoop for the score. 

Kea scored again to put the Tar Heels back up 6-5 after a Radford three gave the Highlanders a brief lead. Kea then distributed the ball on the next Tar Heel possession, dishing the rock inside to first-year center Janelle Bailey, who turned and banked in a layup. 

Jamie Cherry extended UNC’s lead later in the first quarter, driving to the basket and dishing the ball off to Bailey who converted another layup for the five-point edge. After the Highlanders countered with another three, Kea hit a sixteen-foot jumper to put UNC up 12-8. On the next possession the Tar Heels passed the ball around the perimeter before finding sophomore guard Taylor Koenen for an open three. 

With the Tar Heels up by six later in the quarter, Bailey used her strength to fend off a defender, then in one motion grabbed the ball, turned and banked in a layup. The Highlanders missed their last six shots of the opening frame, and the Tar Heels took a 19-9 edge into the second quarter.

North Carolina quickly extended its lead to 12 points in the second after a converted turnaround jumper from first-year forward Jaelynn Murray. Radford continued its woeful shooting, missing seven straight shots to start the quarter as UNC opened up a 27-9 lead. 

With 3:19 left in the half, the Highlanders scored their first points of the quarter to make it a 16-point game. The basket spurred a 6-0 run from Radford before Cherry broke the UNC scoring drought with consecutive made free throws. The teams traded points in the last minute and UNC took a 31-17 lead into halftime.

Bailey started the second half with five points in the first three minutes, inspiring a 10-4 UNC run that pushed the lead to 20. However, a 6-0 Radford run cut the deficit to 14 with just 5:37 left in the third, causing head coach Sylvia Hatchell to burn a timeout. A pair of made free throws from Radford with 3:48 left in the third cut the UNC lead to 11. 

An 8-0 UNC run, though, ended the quarter with the score 52-32 and effectively put the game's nail in the coffin. Bailey led all Tar Heels with eight points in the frame.

Bailey showed off her range early in the fourth, hitting an 18-foot jumper to put the Tar Heels up 54-34. Later in the quarter, Bailey converted a three-point play as part of a 11-0 UNC run. The Highlanders hit two free throws with 4:47 left in the contest to end the scoring drought and make it 63-36. Reserve forward Emily Sullivan entered the game in the fourth and scored UNC’s last 11 points in the 79-46 win.

Who stood out?

Bailey posted her first career double-double and scored double figures for the third straight game to start her collegiate career. She finished with a career-high 19 points and 10 rebounds. 

Kea led the Tar Heels with a big first half, scoring 14 points and helping her team build a double-digit lead at the intermission. She finished the game with 18 points and three assists. Sullivan only played the fourth quarter, but still managed to score eleven points in the winning effort. Koenen filled the stat sheets, providing eight points, seven rebounds and three assists. 

When was it decided?

The game was never much in doubt, but eleven straight missed shots by Radford allowed UNC to build an 18-point advantage in the second quarter. The Highlanders failed to score in the first six minutes of the second quarter as UNC took a commanding 31-17 halftime lead.

Why does it matter?

After losing it’s season opener, UNC has bounced back with two straight wins. With starting guards Destinee Walker and Stephanie Watts missing due to injury, it is important for the Tar Heels to build momentum during this opening stretch of season.

When do they play next?

UNC takes on University of South Alabama on Sunday at 3 p.m. in Carmichael Arena.

@christrenkle2

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