The North Carolina women’s basketball program has been rolling to start the season, and the wheels kept moving in the 76-65 victory over James Madison.
UNC has earned massive victories in their first three games of the season, but this game was a battle from the beginning. Deja Kelly started things for North Carolina with a bucket off an assist from Alyssa Ustby. James Madison answered back with a 5-0 run, and then from there, it was a back-and-forth affair.
Both teams matched defensive intensity, and the first quarter reflected that, with the period ending tied at 19 a piece.
In five minutes of action, the second quarter continued the defensive showdown, with both teams mustering up only four points each. James Madison would end up winning the second quarter battle, as they outscored the Heels 15-11 in the period.
The third quarter was all UNC, as they kept up the defensive pressure while finally finding the shots that had been successful for them during their unbeaten start. Kelly displayed one of her best quarters of the season, scoring seven of her 22 points in the third. North Carolina outscored James Madison, 20 to 13, in quarter three and retook the lead 50 to 47.
The fourth quarter was all UNC. Lockdown defense and ball movement ended any chance James Madison had at their attempted comeback. The Heels won the fourth quarter 26-18 to win the game 76-65 and advance to 4-0 on the season. Kelly led UNC in scoring with 22 points, with senior guard Eva Hodgson contributing 18 points of her own.
UNC will be back in action on Thanksgiving as they travel to Portland to take on No. 21-ranked Oregon.
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