Tag: Deja Kelly

Champions line Carmichael Arena for UNC’s Alumni Day victory

Sunday’s UNC women’s hoops game honored the 1994 NCAA Championship-winning team. The current Tar Heels dominated UVA in a 13-point victory.

Sunday was exactly the type of game UNC’s women’s basketball team needed.

After losing on the road to Florida State last week, Carolina came back home to Carmichael Arena for a special game – Alumni Day.

In front of an announced crowd of 4,579, the Tar Heels dominated UVA from the opening tip for an 81-68, UNC victory.

Carolina star captains Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby were the on-court highlights, combining for 44 points on 16 game field goals and eight free throws, but the main highlights were on UNC’s guests: members of the 1994 NCAA Championship Team.

There were over 90 Tar Heel women’s hoops members in attendance, including longtime Championship-winning head coach Sylvia Hatchell, Jennifer Alley and current head coach Courtney Banghart. A halftime ceremony honored all present, with the 1994 title team introduced between the third and fourth quarters.

Heading back to the game, UNC never trailed against a Cavaliers squad that lost its fifth consecutive matchup. The Tar Heels’ most dominating quarters came in the opening and closing ones, with a 19-12 advantage after the first and 28-16 after the final frame.

“Hats off to a really good Virginia team,” UNC coach Courtney Banghart told GoHeels.com. “Those guys have had a really tough conference schedule so far, they’ve already played NC State twice, they’ve played us, they’ve played Duke, and Georgia Tech. And Camryn Taylor – hats off. She’s a hard kid to guard.”

The Tar Heels look to start another winning streak this Thursday, as they travel to Georgia Tech for a 6 p.m. tip-off. The Yellow Jackets (12-5, 3-2) are coming off an 84-46 loss at Duke.

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UNC Women’s Basketball at Florida State: Game preview, info, prediction and more

The UNC and Florida State women’s basketball team play each other, on Thursday night, in a battle of two top teams in the ACC. Who wins?

If you’re a college basketball fan, turn your televisions to the ACC Network on Thursday night.

At 6 p.m. ET, the UNC (20) and Florida State (21) women’s basketball teams will be playing each other in a Top-25 matchup. This game pits two of the ACC’s best teams against each other, with the victor owning a tie-breaker that will prove crucial come conference tournament time.

The Tar Heels (11-4, 3-0) are winners of their past five games, starting with a 60-point drubbing of Charleston Southern and also including a pair of ranked wins – Syracuse (at the time) and Notre Dame. UNC has one of the country’s most-talented senior duos in Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby, plus a couple of key transfers in Maria Gakdeng and Lexi Donarski.

The Seminoles (13-4, 4-1), hoping to make their 11th-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, are coming off a 78-72 win at Clemson on Sunday afternoon. While FSU nearly upset N.C. State in Raleigh last Thursday, the highlight of its season was a 1-point win over Tennessee in early November. The Seminoles are led by 20-point scorer Ta’Niya Latson.

If Carolina wins Thursday night, it’ll either take sole possession of first place in the ACC or stay tied with Virginia Tech. If the ‘Noles win, they could take over first place.

Notre Dame has Citron again but not Westbeld in loss to North Carolina

A lost weekend for Notre Dame basketball.

Notre Dame’s [autotag]Sonia Citron[/autotag] returned to the starting lineup against North Carolina after missing nine games with a knee sprain. However, her return was canceled out by the absence of [autotag]Maddy Westbeld[/autotag], who was being evaluated for a concussion after being injured in the Irish’s last game at Pittsburgh. With the Irish down to six rotational players, they lost to the Tar Heels, 61-57, who won their first game in South Bend in six tries.

Except for most of the third quarter in which the Irish led by as much as seven, the Tar Heels showed from the beginning that they were the better team during this particular evening at Purcell Pavilion. They made more plays when it really mattered and took advantage of having more available depth. While neither team shot well, the Heels held the advantage there (38.7% from the field for them and 31.1% for the Irish), and that made the big difference.

After tying the game at 55 with 3:41 left on a pair of Citron free throws, the Irish didn’t score again until the outcome already was decided. They still had a chance with time running out and trailing by only three, but [autotag]Anna DeWolfe[/autotag]’s layup attempt was blocked by Maria Gakdeng, forcing the Irish to foul Deja Kelly.

Even when Kelly missed both free throws, Gakdeng got the offensive rebound, and the ball got to Indya Nivar, who was fouled and split her ensuing two free throws for the last of her team-leading 16 points, putting the Heels up four. [autotag]Hannah Hidalgo[/autotag] was fouled on the subsequent possession and missed two free throws. Lexi Donarski then finished the Irish off with two free throws of her own, bringing her total to 13 points.

The Irish wasted 18 points from Citron and a double-double from Hidalgo (17 points, 11 rebounds). [autotag]KK Bransford[/autotag] scored 12 points.

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Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Deja Kelly becomes 25th Tar Heel to reach 1,500 points, helps UNC take down Oklahoma

Not only did the UNC women’s basketball team beat Oklahoma on Tuesday night, but star guard Deja Kelly reached a historic scoring mark.

For the first time in nearly a month, the UNC women’s basketball team is enjoying a winning streak.

Carolina started the year 5-0, then lost three in a row. The Tar Heels beat UNC-Greensboro to open December, lost to UConn, then obliterated Western Carolina on Friday, Dec. 15.

UNC picked up its second-consecutive win on Tuesday, Dec. 19, topping Oklahoma 61-52 in the Jumpman Invitational.

While the victory was a sweet early Christmas present, it was a basketball landmark for one Tar Heel.

Deja Kelly, one of the best guard in women’s college basketball, became the 25th player in program history to reach 1,500 points.

How Kelly reached 1,500 in Tuesday’s game, though, came via one of her season-best outputs. The senior scored a game-high 21 points on 7-of-14 field goal shooting, plus a 7-of-12 mark from the free throw line.

According to the Daily Tar Heel, Kelly also played the game with an illness. Sounds familiar…remember Michael Jordan’s flu game?

Kelly received a lot of praise from her teammates and head coach Courtney Banghart, who noted she wanted to suit up regardless.

“Deja is a dog,” senior forward Alyssa Ustby told the Daily Tar Heel. “That girl will do anything for her teammates, and she knows how much she brings to our team and so being sick, and she was pretty sick, and so for her to come out here and to play so selflessly and to even get to the basket and just hold her own was remarkable.”

We have yet to see anything on MJ himself complementing Kelly, but we’ll be on a close lookout for it.

What will Kelly and her teammates do for an encore on New Year’s Eve against Clemson?

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Social reacts to Skylar Diggins-Smith saying Deja Kelly needs to be in draft talks

Social media reacts to Skylar Diggins-Smith tweeting that UNC star Deja Kelly needs to be in the draft conversations.

The WNBA draft is around the corner, and many believe UNC star [autotag]Deja Kelly[/autotag] should be on some team’s radar.

Kelly has now picked up another vouch to see the Tar Heel in draft conversation, with WNBA star Skylar Diggins-Smith tweeting out on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) that “Deja Kelly is a player that needs more of the draft convo.”

The tweet was sent during the start of North Carolina’s game against UConn on Sunday and picked up quite the traffic with over 100k views. Fans poured in their opinion on Kelly’s draft stock, reacting to the Tar Heel career so far.

Kelly is in her senior year and has undeniably been one of the leaders for UNC during her tenure. She has started 97 of 98 games, averaging 15.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.

There’s no denying Kelly’s impact at UNC, so it’s nice to see the masses showing the Tar Heels some love. Let’s look at how social media reacted to Skylar Diggins-Smith tweeting that Deja Kelly needs to be in draft talks needs to be in draft talks.

Gakdeng’s double-double not enough as Tar Heels fall to UConn

The UNC women’s basketball team had a chance to make a statement Sunday afternoon, but lost 76-64 against UConn. What exactly went wrong?

Good teams beat opponents they should beat.

UNC’s women’s basketball program has done exactly that this year, winning games against Gardner-Webb, Davidson, Hampton, Elon, Vermont and UNCG.

The Tar Heels have also struggled against stronger teams, losing all three of their games against ranked opponents (fourth to unranked FGCU). Their latest lost to a ranked team came on Sunday, Dec. 10, losing 76-64 to UConn in the Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase.

Carolina was super close with the 11-time National Champions, tied at 36 apiece during the halftime break. A 29-13 third quarter in the Huskies’ advantage, however, was the ultimate difference-maker.

Individual accomplishments in games, especially firsts, are always caused for celebration. They don’t feel as good in a loss, but still are means for celebration.

One of UNC’s individual accomplishments to be celebrated came from 6’3″ forward/center Maria Gakdeng, the Boston College transfer who recorded a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double for her first as a Tar Heel. Gakdeng was also the only Tar Heel who shot over 50 percent from the field, going 6-of-9.

Every UNC started scored in double-figures, led by 14 from Gakdeng. Iowa State transfer Lexi Donarski notched 12, star guard Deja Kelly netted 11, while Alyssa Ustby and Indya Nivar each recorded 10.

Carolina should grab an easy win in its next game, hosting the 2-8 Western Carolina Catamounts on Friday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. ET.

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UNC Women’s Basketball vs. South Carolina: Game preview, info, prediction and more

The UNC women’s basketball program is hosting top-ranked South Carolina on Thursday, Nov. 30 as part of the ACC-SEC Challenge.

When a college basketball game features the University of North Carolina, it’s typically the Tar Heels who sport a top-ranked team.

In the case on Thursday, Nov. 30, it’s the exact opposite.

While the UNC women are enjoying a solid start to their 2023-2024 campaign, sitting at 5-2 and ranked 24th in the latest AP Poll, their next opponent is perhaps the greatest in women’s college basketball.

You guessed it – South Carolina.

The Gamecocks, who sport the game’s best coach (Dawn Staley) and arguably most talented roster, will find themselves at Carmichael Arena on Thursday night as part of the newly-developed, ACC-SEC Challenge.

This game will tip off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

South Carolina, the 2017 and 2022 National Championships who our friends down south claim is the “real” Carolina, currently sits at 5-0. The Gamecocks have already beaten two ranked teams (18th-ranked Notre Dame, formerly 14th-ranked Maryland), plus they obliterated Mississippi Valley State on Thanksgiving Friday, 101-19.

The Tar Heels are facing a bit of heartbreak and a mini cold stretch, losing their past two to Kansas State and Florida Gulf Coast. They are led by returners Deja Kella and Alyssa Ustby, two of the best at their respective positions, plus they sport a few solid transfers in Maria Gakdeng, Lexi Donarski and Indya Nivar.

While South Carolina is expected to win big, any rivalry game brings out the best in both teams. What can the real Carolina do in hopes of pulling off an upset?

Cold first quarter dooms Tar Heels in Gulf Coast Showcase vs. KSU

In the Gulf Coast Showcase, UNC’s women’s basketball team watched a first quarter doom it against a strong, tall Kansas State opponent.

In the UNC women’s basketball team’s first five games of 2023, it had little trouble beating opponents.

The Tar Heels won all five games, with their closest victory being a 54-51 clash against Vermont on Friday, Nov. 24 in the Gulf Coast Classic.

Saturday wasn’t as easy.

In its second game of the Gulf Coast Showcase, 18-ranked Carolina watched an 8-point first quarter doom itself in a 63-56 loss to 16-ranked Kansas State.

The Tar Heels outscored the Wildcats, 48-47, in the final three quarters.

The first thing that stands out, to me, is the rebounding margin. Kansas State out-rebounded UNC by a 46-25 mark, with 6’6″ center Ayoka Lee grab 12 as part of a double-double.

Alyssa Ustby, Carolina’s star guard/forward, grabbed nine rebounds. No other Tar Heel grabbed more than two, while five Wildcats pulled down at least five.

UNC also shot a torrid 10 percent (2-of-20) from downtown. Kansas State didn’t fare much better, with a 5-for-17 mark, but those extra three perimeter makes proved to be the difference.

One area the Tar Heels did perform extremely well in was steals, swiping the ball 13 times to the Wildcats’ two. Carolina star Deja Kelly, who stole the basketball a team-high five times, also anchored her team’s scoring attack with 14 points.

Kelly and Kayla McPherson (11 points) were the only two Tar Heels in double-figures, while Serena Sundell (16), Gisela Sanchez (15) and Lee (14) all reached the 10-point mark.

The schedule doesn’t get any easier for UNC. After its tournament finale on Sunday, Nov. 26, it hosts top-ranked South Carolina on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m.

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Two Tar Heels named to Preseason Watch List for prestigious award

Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby are the UNC women’s basketball team’s best players. Not even two weeks in, they’re both on an award watch list.

Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby are the two most integral parts of the UNC women’s basketball team.

The pair both made the Preseason All-ACC team and were named captains for this season. Kelly and Ustby, Carolina’s two best players, will look to help UNC advanced past the Round of 32 in this coming year’s NCAA Tournament.

Carolina is already off to a 2-0 start this year, blowing out Gardner-Webb in the opener and barely squeaking by Davidson on Sunday. Kelly’s scored in double-digits both games, while Ustby nearly recorded a double-doubly on Sunday.

Not even a full two weeks into the season, UNC’s star Senior duo is already on the John R. Wooden Award Watch List. This annual award goes to the best player in college basketball.

Kelly and Ustby are on this list with several of the sport’s best – JuJu Watkins (USC), Hailey Van Lith and Angel Reese (both at LSU).

With a couple transfers and lots of experience returning to Chapel Hill this year, Kelly and Ustby are hoping to help Carolina capture its second-ever NCAA championship.

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Three UNC Women’s Basketball players earn ACC Preseason Honors

Deja Kelly, Alyssa Utsby and Lexi Donarski are going to be integral to the UNC women’s basketball team’s success this year.

There’s a lot of hype in Chapel Hill right now – it mainly has to do with the upcoming start of basketball season.

A lot of that basketball attention should be focused on the UNC women’s basketball program, who has not one or two – but three players with preseason honors.

Deja Kelly and Alyssa Utsby, both of Carolina’s team captains, were named Preseason All-ACC. Lexi Donarski, the Iowa State transfer, was named to the ACC Newcomer Watch List.

Kelly and Utsby, both seniors, will unfortunately be playing their final year in Chapel Hill. Kelly is the Tar Heels’ leading returning scorer (16.5 points per game), while Utsby returns 13.2 points per game (second-most) and a team-high 233 rebounds from last year (8.3 RPG).

Kelly and Utsby will almost surely give UNC that 1-2 punch that so many teams covet. Kelly’s going to be the primary ball-handler and scorer, whether she decides to spot up from deep or drive the lane, like so many players do nowadays. Utsby will likely be spotting up down low, looking to either clean up a rare Kelly miss or back opponents down for an easy two.

Donarski was ranked as one of the transfer portal’s top players. Not only is she bringing 13.2 points per game with her, but she is also the Big 12’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year. She’ll replace the production of Kennedy Todd-Williams, who transferred to Ole Miss in the offseason.

Fans will get to see the Tar Heels in action shortly, as they host Gardner-Webb in their season-opener on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. ET.