No. 24 UNC women's basketball tops Clemson, 82-76, in final game of 2023

A season-high in made 3-pointers lifted the No. 24 North Carolina women’s basketball team (9-4) past Clemson (8-4) 82-76 on Sunday’s New Year’s Eve matchup in Carmichael Arena. 

Following a 12-day break from play over the holiday season, the Tar Heels returned to the court in the team’s first ACC matchup of the season. 

The duo of senior guard Alyssa Ustby and graduate guard Lexi Donarski combined for 44 points, with Ustby recording a 21-point double-double, and Donarski making six threes on the evening.

A trio of catch-and-shoot 3-pointers and sound defense placed North Carolina comfortably ahead after the opening 10 minutes. Sophomore guard Paulina Paris and Donarski made it rain from deep, while UNC held the Tigers to a slow start by forcing Clemson to turn the ball seven times in the first quarter.

However, North Carolina quickly allowed the Tigers to string together a run midway through the second quarter. Clemson scored 10 unanswered points before junior center Eno Inyang scored a layup to place Clemson ahead by one.

In response, the Tar Heels surged back in front when Ustby found senior guard Deja Kelly at the top of the key, where Kelly splashed the kickout 3-pointer. Moments later, junior forward Maria Gakdeng collected a swatted ball under Clemson’s basket and took it up to earn a tough bucket and trip to the foul line. 

Weathering the 10-0 Clemson run in the second quarter, the Tar Heels eeked out a 35-34 lead by the halftime buzzer. With 13 points at the break, Ustby led all scorers — recording five made baskets on six shot attempts.

Starting the second half, Donarski started to heat up from behind the arc. The Iowa State transfer recorded three made 3-pointers in a less than a minute and a half stretch. Tacking on another made three by Kelly, the Tar Heels grew their lead to nine with just under four minutes left in the third period. 

“It feels good when they go in, but also I know that my teammates are the ones creating those shots for me,” Donarski said.

In the fourth quarter, Kelly drove to alternating elbows for two midrange pullups. The pair of jumpers kept the pestering Tigers at arm's length. 

It wasn’t until an Ustby’s steal at midcourt – leading to a fast-break layup – before UNC was able to ice the game, knocking down free throws in the final two minutes. 

“At the end of the game, everybody’s tired. Both teams,” Ustby said. “So that’s when I try to get myself to focus – I’m always reminding myself of what I am doing.”

In their next matchup, the Tar Heels will host Syracuse at home Thursday, Jan. 4 to open the New Year.

@cadeshoemaker23

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