No. 16 UNC women's basketball trounces Coppin State, 72-46

The No. 16 UNC women’s basketball team (9-1) defeated Coppin State (6-5), 72-46, on Sunday afternoon in Carmichael Arena.

In the first minute of play, graduate forward Alyssa Ustby drained a three from mid-court to put the first points on the board. 

The Eagles kept with the Tar Heels, but three-point floaters by sophomore guard Reniya Kelly and junior guard Indya Nivar gave North Carolina the 11-7 lead.

Seeing an opening to the basket, Coppin State guard Tyler Gray went in for the layup but was denied by Utsby, who smacked the ball out of the air. 

With three minutes left in the first quarter, Nivar passed the ball to graduate guard Lexi Donarski, who was sitting in the left corner and drilled in another three for the Tar Heels. 

Thirty seconds later, Kelly made another from the arch to extend UNC’s lead to nine. 

Off the bench, first-year center Blanca Thomas’ four points gave North Carolina the 23-13 lead to end the first. 

To start the second quarter, UNC went on a 4-0 scoring run that was halted by a three-pointer by Tiffany Hammond. Junior guard Trayanna Crisp responded with a three of her own. 

With the Eagles trying to capitalize on an offensive rebound, redshirt first-year forward Ciera Toomey came from behind to make the block that led to her three-point jumper just 10 seconds later. 

A layup by senior center Maria Gakdeng closed the first half with UNC leading 46-27. 

North Carolina was finding great success at the three-point line, going 5-6 in the first quarter and 9-13 in the first half. 

“These guys generated really great shots,” head coach Courtey Banghart said. “We can stretch the floor at multiple positions, most of the time we have four legitimate three-point shooting threats in the game.” 

The third quarter started slow for the Tar Heels. After several unsuccessful attempts to score, they were finally able to put points on the board with Utsby’s three.

With Coppin State on a 5-0 scoring run, graduate guard Grace Townsend made sure it wouldn’t be extended, halting the run with a layup. Crisp added another to conclude the third quarter with UNC up 60-41.

“The backcourt is our weapon,” Townsend said. “But also, we’re able to push the pace, play with more gaurds. Even if we play small, we’re able to compete at every position.” 

Back on the court, first-year guard Lanie Grant launched the ball from half court to Crisp who swiftly placed it in the net and extended the lead to 22. 

North Carolina displayed its depth, with sophomore guard Sydney Barker coming off and drilling a three. Toomey closed the game with a layup and secured UNC’s 26-point win. 

“It’s always good when everyone on the roster has a positive contribution,” Banghart said. “Means when they’re in, they made good things happen and created an advantage.”

The Tar Heels will be back in action hosting UNC Greensboro on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com