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2024 Ball State vs North Carolina - Women's

Alyssa Ustby Leads North Carolina To Win With Double-Double Over Ball State

Alyssa Ustby Leads North Carolina To Win With Double-Double Over Ball State

No. 16 North Carolina took on Ball State in the Battle 4 Atlantis Women's holiday tournament in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Read the game recap and score.

Nov 24, 2024 by Andy Schamma
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No. 16 North Carolina and MAC favorite Ball State faced off in the Bahamas for a special game to kick off two weeks full of holiday college basketball tournaments coming live to FloHoops. The game began at 6:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 23 and was the second of many in the 2024 Battle 4 Atlantis Women's College Basketball tournament.

The Paradise Island, Bahamas-based tournament hosts eight teams including No. 18 Baylor, Indiana, and Texas A&M.

No. 16 North Carolina was 3-1, coming off of a close loss a week ago to No. 2 UConn, falling 58-69 to the Huskies. They hold wins this season against NC A&T, UNC-Wilmington, and Charleston Southern.

Currently undefeated, Ball State was hoping to upset North Carolina and add an important win to their resume en route to a potential at-large bid to the NCAA tournament at the end of the season. They have defeated Northern Iowa, IUPUI, Memphis, and Old Dominion so far this season.

No. 16 North Carolina took on Ball State in the Battle 4 Atlantis Women's holiday tournament in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Read the game recap and score.

Final Score: Ball State 52 - 63 North Carolina

After a short break due to a loss in power at the scorer's table, the final moments of the game played out as things continued to tilt in North Carolina's favor. Stuck fouled out, earning two within 30 seconds at the start of the fourth quarter.

North Carolina’s Nivar found her rhythm in the second half, while teammate Ustby recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. The Tar Heels dominated in the paint, scoring 24 points there, and outpaced the Cardinals in both offensive and defensive rebounds.

Ball State drops their first loss on the season, while North Carolina advanced to face the winner of Saturday’s game between Texas A&M and Villanova.

Third Quarter Score: Ball State 44 - 54 North Carolina

After a bit of back and forth in momentum swings during the first quarter of the second half, it was starting to look like North Carolina had what it was going to take to walk away with the win against Ball State. Ball State was playing well and had moments of brilliance, especially with Bischoff and Kiefer continuing their contributions.

Bischoff was 5-for-8 from the three point line.

The Cardinals' Austin and Stuck quickly found themselves on the bench with three fouls each.

Lanie Grant was rock solid for the Tar Heels all game, boasting 15 points and 3-for-4 on three-pointers after three quarters.

Second Quarter Score: Ball State 29 - 35 North Carolina

Early in the second quarter, after both teams struggled to hit outside shots, Ball State found some offensive rhythm through effective passing and strong entries into the paint from Keifer and Ransom. However, the Cardinals continued to struggle from beyond the arc, shooting just 3-for-17 in the first half. The Tar Heels were able to lock in their focus beyond the arc and end the half at 40% (6-15).

Keifer led Ball State with 12 points, while Bischoff added eight. The Cardinals also ran into foul trouble, accumulating 11 fouls over the first 20 minutes. Ball State was still able to keep North Carolina within six by the end of twenty minutes.

For North Carolina, Trayanna Crisp was the standout, scoring eight points in the first half. She was perfect from three-point range, hitting both of her attempts, and also went 2-for-3 on field goals.

First Quarter Score: Ball State 10 - 19 North Carolina

The story of the first portion of this third game in the 2024 Battle 4 Atlantis tournament is North Carolina's ability to capitalize on the uncharacteristic turnovers by Ball State, who had eight in the first ten minutes.

Threes from Grant, Ustby, and Donarski helped extend the points difference.

First Five: 6-6 Tied Up As Both Teams Miss Bucket

It's tied up at the first TV timeout in the first quarter for Ball State vs North Carolina as both teams are looking to get their shooting going. The Tar Heels are 3-for-10 in field goals and the Cardinals are 3-5.

Turnovers have been an issue for Ball State early as they have already reached eight, more than any other game this season.

Starting Line Ups

North Carolina Tar Heels

  • Alyssa Ustby
  • Reniya Kelly
  • Lexi Donarski
  • Indya Nivar
  • Blanca Thomas

Ball State Cardinals

  • Ally Becki
  • Maliyah Johnson
  • Lachelle Austin
  • Marie Kiefer
  • Elise Stuck

15 Minutes Until Tip Off: Team Rosters

North Carolina Women's Basketball Team Roster 2024

  • Lanie Grant, G
  • Alyssa Ustby, G
  • Grace Townsend, G
  • Jordan Zubich, G
  • Laila Hull, G
  • Maria Gakdeng, C
  • Reniya Kelly, G
  • Kayla McPherson, G
  • Trayanna Crisp, G
  • Sydney Barker, G
  • Lexi Donarski, G
  • Ciera Toomey, F
  • Indya Nivar, G
  • Blanca Thomas, C

Ball State Women's Basketball Team Roster 2024

  • Ally Becki, G
  • Maliyah Johnson, F
  • Sydney Bolden, G
  • Lachelle Austin, G
  • Marie Kiefer, F
  • Ashlynn Brooke, G
  • Alex Richard, F
  • Tessa Towers, C
  • Zuri Ransom, G
  • Madelyn Bischoff, G
  • Grace Kingery, G
  • Hailey Smith, F
  • Olivia Smith, F
  • Elise Stuck, F

Earlier Today On FloHoops: Garzon Earns Birthday Double-Double For IU Against Columbia In The Bahamas

In what was a close contest between a Columbia team trying to add another big win to their record and an Indiana team that was looking to build off of their recent win over No. 24 Stanford, the Hoosiers were able to pull out a dub in a close contest on Saturday afternoon in game two of the Battle 4 Atlantis Women's bracket.

Indiana used a late-game surge to defeat Columbia in the second game of the Battle 4 Atlantis Women's Tournament on Saturday.

Read the full game recap here.

Earlier Today On FloHoops: Baylor Puts Up 15 Threes, Hits Triple Digits vs Southern Miss

After four great quarters of basketball between Southern Miss and Baylor—the Lady Bears come out on top of game one of the Battle 4 Atlantis Women's tournament.

Five Baylor players had more than 14 points today against the Lady Eagles and were 44% (15-34) from behind the three-point line, making that the most threes for them this season. Fontleroy and Andrews both tallied four.

For Southern Miss, Grayson and Evans led the points with 12, despite Grayson fouling out. 

Despite their quick start, the Eagles were unable to keep up with Baylor and will be looking for redemption against the loser of Columbia vs Indiana. Baylor will play the winner.

Read the full game recap.

Battle 4 Atlantis Women's Tournament Schedule 

Saturday, November 23

Sunday, November 24

Monday, November 25

Battle 4 Atlantis Women's Bracket

Battle 4 Atlantis 2024 Women's Teams 

How To Watch The Battle 4 Atlantis 2024 Women's Tournament

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