CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina – Junior guard Alyssa Ustby posted a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds as eighth-ranked North Carolina handed UNCW a 64-42 setback in women's basketball action on Wednesday night at Carmichael Arena.
The Tar Heels improved their record to 7-1 overall while the Seahawks fell to 2-6 on the season.
UNC shot 40.0 percent (24-of-60) from the field and 31.3 percent (5-of-16) from three-point range. UNCW connected on 36.7 percent (18-of-49) of its attempts.
Junior forward Lexi Jackson posted her first career double-double with 11 points and a career-high 11 boards, including seven in the first half. The Kent State transfer also set a new benchmark with six blocks and was joined in double figures by sophomore guard Jayde Gamble's 10 points.
Ustby led a trio of Tar Heels with 10 or more points along with junior guards Kennedy Todd-Williams (12) and Deja Kelly (10).
The Seahawks played UNC close in the opening quarter, staying within a possession through the first six minutes. The Tar Heels closed the first period with an 8-3 spurt to enter the second quarter ahead 18-12.
UNC edged UNCW, 17-10, in the second quarter with buckets from five different players to take a 35-22 lead into halftime.
The Tar Heels collected 13 of the first 18 points in the third period to swell its advantage to 48-27 on a Kelly layup at the 6:08 mark.
A Micah Hoggatt lay-in sliced the deficit to 16 points, 57-41, with 4:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, but UNC closed the game with a 7-1 run over the final three minutes to earn the 64-42 decision.
UNCW will pause play next week for final exams before resuming their schedule at Coastal Carolina on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m.
GAME NOTES: It was UNCW's first visit to Carmichael Arena in five years … Jackson's six blocks are tied for the seventh-best single-game mark in program history ... Both teams shot 50 percent in the third quarter … Britany Range played a career-high 39 minutes … The Seahawks have lost four of five games … UNCW is 0-39 vs. ranked opponents … The Seahawks played a team ranked in the top 10 for the second straight year ... Attendance was 1,918Â
