UNC's Press Defense Annoys Kentucky

Twenty-two turnovers. Nineteen points.

A 39-point halftime deficit.

With a quick full-court press in the game's first 20 minutes, the North Carolina women's basketball team jumped on top of Kentucky early and cruised to a 102-64 victory before 1,145 at Carmichael Auditorium.

UNC (6-1) took advantage of UK's sloppy play and quickly expanded a

13-8 game into a 58-19 lead at halftime.

"We are playing at least four or five different defenses," said UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell. "It's making it difficult for the other team because they can't get any kind of rhythm and helps us create some offense off our defense."

Nikki Teasley led all scorers with 21 points, 16 of which came in the first half.

As a team, the Tar Heels finished the game shooting 55 percent and 44 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.

UNC held the Wildcats' leading scorer, center SeSe Helm, to 12 points on

5-of-7 shooting.

"I think that made a difference," said Candace Sutton, who guarded Helm. "Early we got in her foul trouble; that kind of frustrated her."

But in the beginning of the second half, UNC halted its press.

The result was a quick 8-0 UK spurt in the second half's first 1 minute, 46 seconds that had Hatchell fuming.

Without UNC's hounding press, Kentucky (2-2) was able to run its offense and outscored the Tar Heels

45-44 in the second half.

"I'm very pleased with how our players came out in the second half with the fire they had and their poise," said UK coach Bernadette Mattox. "They took it at (UNC) and played with a lot of commitment."

But the lead North Carolina built in the first half was too large to overcome. Six players came off the bench to keep the Tar Heels' offensive engine running throughout the contest and combined for 41 points.

Leading the reserves was freshman Nikita Bell, who scored 11 points.

"Some of the freshmen are really starting to help us," Hatchell said. "Nikita is coming in there and playing well. Good balance and depth."

The Sports Editor can be reached at sports@unc.edu.