Cougars Fall To #5 Tar Heels - CofCSports.com--Official Web site of College of Charleston Athletics

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Cougars Fall To #5 Tar Heels - CofCSports.com--Official Web site of College of Charleston Athletics

12/31/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball

#articleRelated { display: none !important; } Despite three Cougars scoring in double-figures, 5th-ranked North Carolina downed the College of Charleston, 101-48, in women's college basketball action before 2,815 on Saturday.

Ivory Latta had 14 points in 16 minutes Saturday to lead No. 5 North Carolina to a 101-48 win over College of Charleston.

The Tar Heels set season highs for field goals (39) and points in a half (57), and finished with their highest point total since a 101-63 victory over Tennessee-Martin on Dec. 3, 2003.

No North Carolina player was in the game for more than 20 minutes, and no starter played more than 17 minutes.

"It's good to give some of the kids a chance for playing time and some confidence," North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell said. "It doesn't do any good to leave starters out there just to beat a team by 60-70 points."

Heather Claytor had 12 points on four 3-pointers, while LaToya Pringle added 11 points and Erlana Larkins 10. North Carolina (13-0) made 9-of-20 3-pointers and won its 26th straight in Chapel Hill.

On Thursday, North Carolina struggled to top Old Dominion 88-80 in overtime.

"At Old Dominion, we didn't start with any intensity, while they were fired up and played really well," Hatchell said. "Tonight, we went after them early."

Erica Irick led College of Charleston (3-6) with 12 points. Melissa Chambers had 11 and Jade Hughes added 10 in the Cougars' fourth straight loss.

The Tar Heels jumped to an 18-2 lead after College of Charleston turned over six of its first eight possessions. The Cougars had 19 turnovers by halftime and 30 for the game.

The Tar Heels led 58-20 at the break and took their biggest lead, 94-38, on a jumper by Rashanda McCants with 4:13 to play.

"Maybe our team was a little star-struck," Charleston coach Nancy Wilson said. "But the turnovers had more to do with the size differential and the quickness differential.

"We knew they were good, with all their athletic ability and their size. We were just hoping to see some growth by our players in the game, especially in the second half."

The Cougars continue on the road, traveling to Davidson Jan. 3rd to resume their conference schedule. Game time is set for 7:00 PM.

Associated Press Story