CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — In the opening round of the women’s NCAA Tournament, North Carolina triumphed over Oregon State with a resounding 70-49 victory. Lexi Donarski emerged as the star of the game, contributing 19 points, with a remarkable 17 points scored in the third quarter alone. The team dominated this period with a commanding 30-9 surge, a momentum largely driven by Donarski’s impressive five 3-pointers.
Alyssa Ustby played a pivotal role as well, securing 10 points and nine rebounds. Significantly, she also broke a program record with the 1,252nd rebound of her career. Fellow teammate Maria Gakdeng chipped in 13 points to bolster the Tar Heels’ victory.
On the other side, Oregon State, ending their season at 19-16, was led by Kelsey Rees who tallied 15 points and 10 rebounds. AJ Marotte added 13 points to their effort.
Next, the No. 3 seed North Carolina (now 28-7) is set to compete against sixth-seeded West Virginia in the second round, following the latter’s 78-59 triumph over 11th-seeded Columbia.
Initially, North Carolina advanced to a 15-7 lead. However, Oregon State fought back, briefly taking a 20-17 advantage with Marotte’s 3-pointer midway through the second quarter. The Tar Heels quickly regained control, pushing back with a Reniya Kelly jumper, taking a narrow 26-24 lead before halftime.
“We got good looks,” North Carolina coach Courtney Banghart reflected. “But we seemed to be rusty in the second quarter.”
Entering the second half with a fresh mindset, the Tar Heels hit their stride with a 11-point streak driven solely by Donarski. The team demonstrated superior shooting skills, completing 11 out of 17 attempts in the third quarter, including 6 of 8 from the three-point line.
“We forced them to play at our pace,” Donarski recounted. “We cornered them into situations they weren’t comfortable in. We brought a new energy to that third quarter.”
Oregon State’s head coach Scott Rueck acknowledged Donarski’s exceptional skills, stating, “She’s been our focal point for days. ‘Watch No. 20, No. 20’, that’s all we talked about. You’re taking a risk letting her get free.”
### Observations
Oregon State: Historically, a No. 14 seed has never advanced in the women’s bracket. Despite their solid start, the Beavers could not withstand Donarski’s shooting prowess.
North Carolina: After a game of fluctuating leads, the Tar Heels solidified their performance in the latter half of the match, finding cohesiveness and momentum.
### Moving Forward
With 28 victories this season, North Carolina matches their best record since 2013. In her sixth season, Coach Banghart appreciates the strategic growth of the team. She shared, “I saw potential here to recruit players who fit our system perfectly, and coach top-tier talent without limitations. We’ve realized that vision.”
### What’s Next
North Carolina will face No. 6 West Virginia in the following round. The Tar Heels aim to secure their first appearance in the Sweet 16 since 2022.
