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Tar Heels sail past Navy, 80-40, behind Janelle Bailey's 20 points

20191111_Katsanis_WBBNavy-1.jpg
Junior center Janelle Bailey (30) passes ball in the women's basketball game against Navy in the Carmichael Arena on Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. UNC won 80-40.

The North Carolina women’s basketball team took advantage of an undersized Navy team en route to an 80-40 blowout victory in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels were led by junior forward Janelle Bailey and senior guard Taylor Koenen on Monday night.

What happened?

UNC (2-0) set the tone early by feeding Bailey and first-year forward Malu Tshitenge in the post and asserting its dominance down low against the Midshipmen (2-1). With just 5:40 remaining in the first quarter, Bailey and Tshitenge had combined for six of North Carolina’s first 13 points.

The attention that those two required allowed space to open up for UNC’s guards. Redshirt senior guard Madinah Muhammad scored 11 points in the first quarter to lead all scorers. Koenen was also able to benefit, going for 6 points in the first quarter.

By the end of the first quarter, it looked like the Tar Heels were going to run away with the game as they maintained a 29-9 lead and didn’t show any signs of slowing down.

It was more of the same in the second quarter as North Carolina stretched its lead to 48-19 before halftime. Muhammad went quiet, but Bailey continued to shine.

The junior increased her point total to 14 by the break to lead all scorers. Koenen also impressed, bringing her total up to 12 points.

The rout continued in the second half. However, it was Koenen that showed out for the Tar Heels this time. 

The senior matched her career-high 21 points after just three quarters. She was lights out, shooting 9-13 from the field before being pulled out of the game.

UNC led against Navy, 69-25, after three quarters and began to put in its subs.

In the fourth quarter, North Carolina’s backups got some playing time. The reserves closed out the game for UNC with junior Leah Church, first-year Lexi Duckett and first-year Nia Daniel scoring three points each.

The Tar Heels would go on to win against the Midshipmen, 80-40.

Who stood out?

With the incredible height advantage, Bailey dominated. The 6-foot-4 center recorded 20 points and 15 rebounds mostly against a Navy starting lineup that didn't feature a single player over 5-foot-10.

Koenen also benefited from the defense trying to guard the post. The senior tied her career-high, scoring 21 points in just three quarters.

Muhammad had a solid game as well, with the redshirt senior scoring 13 points. 

When was it decided?

This game was pretty much over before it started. The Tar Heels showed they were the superior team from the jump and never trailed.

UNC was up by 20 points at the end of the first quarter and stretched that to as much as 29 later in the first half.

Why does it matter?

North Carolina is winning the games that it should be. The team’s new head coach, Courtney Banghart, is off to a dream start through two games, winning by an average of 38.5 points.

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UNC will look to continue its strong play during a couple more winnable games in the near future.

When do they play next?

The Tar Heels are back in action against Charleston Southern in Carmichael Arena at 5 p.m. on Nov. 15.

@matt_chilson

@DTHSports | sports@dailytarheel.com