Forward Jessica Breland has been the North Carolina women’s basketball team’s best forward this year. She is second on the team in both points and rebounds.
So when she went down with what is being called a minor left knee injury after just 10 minutes into Thursday’s game against Wake Forest, the Tar Heels needed their other big players to step up.
Luckily for the Tar Heels, they have the depth up front to succeed even without their top forward. Chay Shegog, Waltiea Rolle and most of all Laura Broomfield picked up the slack to lead UNC to a 71-56 win against the Demon Deacons.
Broomfield led the in the frontcourt by recording her second double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
“Laura had a ton of rebounds,” UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell said. “She’s getting up there around the rim and that’s really good. We’re going to need her down the stretch here.”
Also helping out, especially on the defensive end, was Rolle. She put her 6-foot-6 frame to use, producing six blocks with her long arms to go along with seven points and eight rebounds.
Shegog had a poor night shooting but still managed to add 10 points and a team-high five assists. The trio effectively gave North Carolina enough front-line scoring to support star guard Italee Lucas, who had 20 points, and helped lead the Tar Heels to victory.
“Tonight both Chay and Waltiea were missing shots that normally they would make,” Hatchell said. “But we’re going to continue to do that because the more we go inside, the more it opens it up outside for Italee.”
Breland is scheduled to get an MRI on her knee, but regardless of how long she is out, the improving play of the other forwards will give the Tar Heels the frontline depth it needs to compete in future games.
