Grace Townsend's 13 points lead UNC women's basketball past Wake Forest

Graduate guard Grace Townsend implored an in-and-out crossover that sent a Wake Forest guard flailing as the final seconds of the first quarter dwindled. 

Then, Townsend attacked the rim, finishing through contact after a Demon Deacon center fouled her. While Townsend was at the free throw line, a spectator shouted. 

“That was nasty!” 

She chuckled and made the free throw to complete the three point play. 

“I thought that was pretty funny,” Townsend said after the game. 

That “nasty” crossover was the highlight of Townsend’s 13-point performance on Thursday night in Carmichael Arena, helping No. 13 North Carolina defeat Wake Forest, 76-51. Her double-figure effort is the most points Townsend has recorded in ACC play this season, and came through an efficient 5-5 shooting display that head coach Courtney Banghart hopes to see more of. 

And the key to Townsend's success on Thursday was her patience. 

Banghart said the fifth-year prefers to run the offense only after everyone is in position and the play has been set up. From there, Townsend can get the best look for herself or others, without rushing the possession. 

But don’t be fooled. Townsend has no issue exploiting open looks when the moment presents itself. 

“I was attacking and I was aggressive, but also trying to stay under control and look for my shot,” Townsend said. “So taking the shot without trying to force it.”

This dynamic approach made Townsend difficult to guard. She drew six fouls against Wake Forest defenders and earned three trips to the free throw line in only 18 minutes of action. With the performance, the guard gained extra attention from Wake defenders, allowing Townsend to collapse the defense and kick out to perimeter shooters. 

Such guard play from Townsend and others have been the recipe for UNC’s recent 3-point shooting success.

“People have really been attacking the paint, going off of two feet, [and] when the defense collapses, finding open shooters,” graduate guard Lexi Donarski said. “We've done a really, really good job of that.” 

To Banghart, the more Townsend looks to attack, the more dangerous it makes UNC’s offense when she’s on the floor, even if it disturbs her patient play style. 

“Her ability to get to be aggressive and to put pressure on the defense is what we need. But at times, it might feel like we're asking her to be selfish, which we're not,” Banghart said. “So she's adjusting to how her aggressiveness really is what this team needs.” 

In her fifth season of collegiate basketball, Townsend adds experience to UNC’s rotation that provides stability off the bench. The guard's 13 points were the most in North Carolina's 32-point bench performance. 

And considering the time it took for her to adjust after transferring from four years at Richmond to Power Four basketball at North Carolina this season, Townsend’s role within UNC's rotation will continue to grow. 

“It's an upward trend,” Banghart said. “She's gotten to that point where she sees it. People forget when people transfer that there is an adjustment period for them, no matter how good they are.” 

Based on Thursday night's performance, it's clear that Townsend has adjusted. 

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