CHAPEL HILL -- Just as its schedule increases in difficulty, the North Carolina women’s basketball team improved its level of play, defeating Georgia Tech 89-78 in its ACC opener at Carmichael Auditorium.
The seventh-ranked Tar Heels slowed a physical opponent and dispatched the No. 20 Yellow Jackets, harnessing a seriousness about their play that may have been lacking in previous performances this season. Perhaps it was the start of conference play that triggered such inspired play or may be it was the thought of top-ranked Connecticut awaiting them on Saturday?
"This whole week we’ve been real focused,” UNC junior Italee Lucas said. "This is our big ACC game. We do have Uconn coming. So there’s like no time for weak practices or anything like that."
The Heels (13-1, 1-0) were weak on the boards Wednesday, but strong everywhere else, securing a game-high 28-point performance from Lucas. Four players scored in double figures for the Heels, including She’la White and Cetera DeGraffenreid who finished with 13 points.
There's something about facing Connecticut that motivates the Heels. Last season, just before their game with the Huskies, the Tar Heels crushed No. 14 Virginia, 103-74, setting up a meeting between the nation’s top two teams.
The Heels were defeated at home by the Huskies, 88-55, at the Smith Center, but have hope of ending their undefeated run on Saturday.
"I don't think anybody expects us to beat them except us," UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell said.
Edward joined the News & Observer staff in 2004. He is a graduate of American University and Johns Hopkins University. He covers Wake Forest football and women's college basketball for the N&O. Edward is a native of Washington, D.C. He can be reached at 829-4781 or 
