13 threes lead UNC women's basketball to double-digit win over Pitt

Indya Nivar was crowded in the paint.

Nowhere to go on her own, the junior guard quickly kicked the ball out to graduate guard Lexi Donarski. UNC led 4-2 early in the first quarter. 

Unguarded behind the arc, Donarski held the ball in her hands for less than a second before releasing it.

Swish. 

“Anytime you make open shots, you’re a better offense,” head coach Courtney Banghart said. “I think we’ve got good shooters that have been inconsistent at times, but good shots are usually a function of how we play offense.” 

The No. 13 UNC women’s basketball team defeated Pitt, 75-58, on Sunday afternoon. UNC made 13 threes against the Panthers, with Donarski recording five 3-pointers in back-to-back games for the first time in her career. The Tar Heels' 13 made 3-pointers are the most in ACC play this year, and one short of the school record. 

Powered by the three ball, North Carolina is now 3-0 in ACC games on the road — its best start on the road in conference play since the 2013-14 season. North Carolina also matched its best start through 20 games (17-3) since that same season. 

Banghart holds her team to a high standard, and her players have been meeting it this season. She said they have been improving over time. They are understanding how to play to each others' strengths and become more competitive. 

And a big reason for UNC's success has been the improvements in the team's 3-point shooting. In North Carolina's three losses this season, the Tar Heels shot 29.7 percent from three.

Now, they're shooting right under 34 percent from behind the arc. 

“A lot of the teams previously would sign off because our 3-point shooting wasn’t as good,” senior center Maria Gakdeng said. “But this year, we have students who work on it every day in practice. So knowing [we are] counting on them to hit those shots is really big.”

Against the Panthers, six players contributed points from the 3-point line. 

Although Donarski led with five threes, the graduate wasn't the only one contributing to the effort. First-year guard Lanie Grant shot 44 percent from the arc on Sunday, recording three triples on her way to a 13-point performance. 

Halfway through the second quarter, Nivar passed the ball to Grant, who nailed a three from the right corner. 

About a minute later, sophomore guard Reniya Kelly sent the ball to Grant again, who drilled another triple deep behind the arc. North Carolina's lead swelled to nine. 

“She literally wants to do whatever this team needs her to do,” Banghart said . “She’ll put the work in, and then she’ll trust her work when it comes to game time.”

Seven of North Carolina’s threes came in the fourth quarter. UNC shot 70 percent from the arc in the fourth quarter. 

Graduate guard Alyssa Ustby connected with Nivar for a 3-pointer that ignited a run of four consecutive triples by the Tar Heels. Nivar was 2-2 in the fourth quarter from beyond the arc.

Even the bench saw success at the 3-point line, with first-year guard Jordan Zubich, redshirt first-year forward Ciera Toomey and graduate guard Grace Townsend adding points to the scoreboard. 

As UNC's season continues, the Tar Heels will continue to rely on their shooting from behind the arc. Its an improvement Banghart attributes to her team's commitment to their progress. 

"To be able to not play your best and still win a convincing battle is testament to the work these guys have put in."

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