COLUMBIA, S.C. — The No. 8-seeded UNC women’s basketball team (20-13, 11-7 ACC) fell, 88-41, to No. 1-seeded South Carolina (34-0, 16-0 SEC) during the second round of the NCAA tournament on Sunday afternoon in Colonial Life Arena.
South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley erupted for a game-high 20 points off the bench to spearhead the staggering 47-point defeat. Senior forward Alyssa Ustby was the sole player to reach the double figures as the Tar Heels were held to a shooting percentage below 25 percent.
“It was the perfect storm,” head coach Courtney Banghart said. “They shot way above their average and we shot way below our average. So, mathematically, it’s never going to go so well for you.”
To open the first quarter, the Gamecocks immediately started swinging. Employing a full-court press, South Carolina helped force UNC to four early turnovers. The Gamecocks took an early five-point lead in the first five minutes of play.
Following the early heavyweight fight, South Carolina opened the offensive floodgates. The Gamecocks went on a 15-0 run to conclude the first quarter while holding the Tar Heels scoreless for the last three minutes. UNC quickly fell to a 20-point deficit.
“They made everything for us pretty tough,” Ustby said. “Even on the offensive and defensive glass they were always crashing. They were just creating a lot more opportunities for themselves.”
In the second quarter, North Carolina failed to find an offensive pulse while the Gamecocks refused to relent. South Carolina’s Te-Hina Paopao and Fulwiley ignited from beyond the arc for a combined four treys as Kamilla Cardoso and Chloe Kitts remained steady in the post.
Holding UNC to below 25 percent shooting, the Gamecocks entered the second half with a 56-19 lead.
The Tar Heels began to find some tempo in the third quarter outscoring South Carolina 15-14. But in the last minute of play, Fulwiley took the reins by hitting a 3-pointer and making an easy layup to maintain the staggering lead. UNC failed to score in the last three minutes.
