'That's how she rolls': Ustby's 17 rebounds propel UNC to second round of NCAA tournament

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Alyssa Ustby knew the Tar Heels on the lane line had to be ready. The game depended on it. 

With only a one-point UNC lead and 5.4 seconds on the clock, senior guard Deja Kelly stepped up to the free throw line. Ustby looked across the lane to sophomore forward Teonni Key and shared that exact order: “Be ready.”

The first attempt swished into the net. Before the second shot, Ustby squatted, elbows to her thighs and faced the basket. Then, Kelly’s shot bounced off the edge of the rim. Despite the four Michigan State players sandwiching the two forwards, Key got a hand on the loose ball to swat it back into the waiting hands of Ustby and Kelly.

Forced to foul, MSU sent Kelly back to the charity stripe one last time. Once again, Kelly’s second attempt didn’t fall. But this time, Ustby weaved around the blockout and grabbed the rebound herself. Game over.

“When [Teonni Key] got the first one, I was like, ‘Perfect, yes, let’s do it again,’” Ustby said. “When we got the second one, I was just very proud of our girls because we fought the whole game, and we earned this one.”

No. 8-seeded North Carolina survived a late-game push by No. 9-seeded Michigan State, 59-56, on Friday to advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Not only did Ustby’s last-second rebounding and positioning save the game for the Tar Heels, but her transition offense and season-high 17 boards throughout regulation helped UNC stay ahead of an explosive MSU squad.

The senior forward also became the first ACC player since 2000 to record at least 16 points, 17 rebounds and six assists in an NCAA tournament game.

“What you guys saw from Alyssa is what I get to see literally every day,” head coach Courtney Banghart said. “We always say practice the way you play. That was our key over the last 14 days is we are going to practice the way we are going to play from a schematic and effort standpoint. You look at Alyssa, and she’s just like, ‘Mhm,” because that’s how she rolls.”

When Ustby and Key worked in tandem to collect the game-saving rebounds, Kelly said she could only think one thing: “Thank God.”

Despite MSU cutting a once 16-point lead to just a single point, Ustby said she did not view the lead shift as UNC giving up baskets or a run. Rather, it was a momentum swing that simply required an adjustment. 

She said she and the other North Carolina post players had to recognize patterns and changes, then adjust “on the fly.” 

Heading into Friday’s matchup, UNC focused on the pivotal role of players like Ustby. The Tar Heels emphasized using their height advantage to dominate the boards. Ustby personally stressed returning to the team’s “bread and butter” in Thursday’s press conference, which she said includes not only out-rebounding, but also run-outs in transition off defensive boards. 

“We kind of had to tell ourselves that we have to go get it ourselves," the senior forward said, "and not expect the ball to fall in our lap."

North Carolina checked off those boxes. The Tar Heels scored 13 fast break points and out-rebounded the Spartans 45-27, thanks to the efforts of Ustby. According to Kelly, her fellow co-captain thrives in transition opportunities. 

Ustby’s determination to fight for rebounds and execute in late-game situations, she said, also originates from a recognition of her status as a senior. With this potentially being her last NCAA tournament, Ustby said she and the other seniors are determined to take the team as far as they can, which requires a tremendous amount of focus, energy and effort in every game.

If Friday was any indication, she’s going to go out battling. UNC’s survival depends on it. 

@carolinewills03

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