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Anybody who questions Deja Kelly’s toughness and dogged determination isn’t paying attention or is letting her off-the-court persona as “The Queen” mislead them. The 5–8 senior North Carolina guard — who embraces fashion, long fingernails and eyelashes, and beauty — is a relentless competitor who refuses to let physical challenges keep her off the court.
After rallying for a victory over Oklahoma, North Carolina stayed at No. 24 in the latest AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll released on Monday. The Tar Heels (8–4) pulled away from a game tied at halftime to earn a 61–52 victory over the Sooners on Tuesday in the Jumpman Invitational at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center.
Arizona was at risk of losing back-to-back games for the first time in three seasons under Coach Tommy Lloyd before Caleb Love came to the rescue.
CHARLOTTE — The game started late, and No. 24 North Carolina found the offensive rhythm late. Despite being sick for three days and throwing up during time outs, senior Deja Kelly fixed that,and the Tar Heels pulled away in the second half for a 61–52 victory Tuesday night at the Jumpman Invitational in the Spectrum Center.
The memory of last season’s game in the Jumpman Invitational still stings for the returning Carolina women’s basketball team players. UNC came into the game ranked No. 9, but No. 19 Michigan led by 23 points in the second quarter and rolled to a win more convincing than the 76–68 final score indicated.
North Carolina moved up one spot to No. 24 in the AP Top 25 women’s poll after coasting to a 96–36 win Friday over Western Carolina in the Tar Heels’ only game last week. The Tar Heels (7–4) face Oklahoma (6–3) on Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center in the second Jumpman Invitational. The Sooners have lost three of their last four, and haven’t played since losing 92–76 at home to UNLV on Dec. 9.
CHAPEL HILL — Alyssa Ustby’s conversation with her dad after committing to North Carolina is hard to imagine for a star who has been integral to the program’s resurgence. Todd Ustby, 61, told her that he and her mom, Lisa, planned to build a second house in the Triangle to avoid frequent trips from their Rochester, Minn., home during her college career and be closer to her. His daughter’s first reaction wasn’t positive.
CHAPEL HILL — In probably the last sure win on No. 25 North Carolina’s schedule, the Tar Heels took full advantage on a feel-good night full of holiday cheers and torrid defense. Eager to rebound from a short-handed loss to No. 17 UConn, the Tar Heels — with two players back who didn’t play in that game — dominated Western Carolina at Carmichael Arena. UNC led by 64 points late before finishing off a 96–36 win behind senior wing Alyssa Ustby’s 23 points.
With two more non-conference games before the No. 25 North Carolina women open ACC play on New Year’s Eve against Clemson, there’s a lot of frustration but also plenty of hope.
North Carolina fell in the AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll, checking in at No. 25 in the new poll released on Monday. The Tar Heels (6–4) played even for one half with UConn on Sunday at the Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase in Uncasville, Conn., before losing to the Huskies 76–64.
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