UNC women's basketball channels toughness to defeat No. 19 California

Play tougher. 

Leading up to UNC's top-20 matchup against California, head coach Courtney Banghart gave her team the simple call-to-action. 

The Tar Heels didn't play tough enough against Florida State last Sunday, and it cost them in the dwindling seconds. FSU's Ta'Niya Latson drove to the basket and knocked down a buzzer beater to end UNC's five-game winning streak.

“Against Florida State there were too many possessions where we didn’t have quite enough toughness,” Banghart said. “We just really implored that the next step for this program was to be tough enough when the moment calls.”

And on Thursday, the Tar Heels answered. 

The No. 15 North Carolina women's basketball team defeated No. 19 California, 65-52, in Haas Pavilion on Thursday night. The Tar Heels hand-delivered Cal’s first home loss of the season.

With the win, UNC is the first team in the ACC to win its opening game in the West Coast swing. North Carolina is also off to its best on-the-road record, 4-0, since the 2011-12 season. 

It started on the offensive end. Sophomore guard Reniya Kelly played a key role, scoring 16points. 

With 31 seconds left in the fourth quarter, she stopped in her tracks.

Ball in her hands beyond the 3-point line, she surveyed the court.

“I was questioning should I drive it,” Kelly said, “Or pass it to Maria [Gakdeng]?” 

Kelly made a decision. With UNC possessing a comfortable lead, Kelly decided to capitalize on the moment. She pulled up and made the shot. 

She's normally more of a facilitator for her teammates, letting them shine. But on Thursday, she stepped out of her comfort zone. She took matters in her own hands and sealed the game. She exhibited the toughness Banghart preached. 

The Tar Heels brought the correct energy. To Banghart, aggressiveness — specifically Kelly’s — helped North Carolina in the win. 

“I give credit to [Banghart],” Kelly said. “She’s been pushing me to be more aggressive each game, and I’ve been carrying that into each game I play.”

Then, it carried over to the defensive end.

“It’s a simple game," Kelly said. "We try to complicate it."

The Tar Heels limited Cal’s success from behind the arc to 29.4 percent. They prevented the Goldens Bears from setting screens. They dominated on the boards — 38-28.

A team that has shot 46 percent from the field this season, only connected on 37.3 percent against North Carolina. UNC ranks No. 1 in the ACC in defensive scoring and 14th in the nation. 

“It’s really hard for other teams to want to get in that fight,” graduate forward Alyssa Utsby said. 

The entire flow of the game favored the Tar Heels. But not because of luck. Instead, it was by being tough. North Carolina’s defensive dominance shut down Cal's shooting and set the tone. The overpowering UNC offense did the rest of the work. 

The Tar Heels proved that toughness isn’t just their mindset. It’s their new identity. 

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