CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The North Carolina Tar Heels women's basketball team demonstrated resilience and strength as they overcame a tough challenge from Oregon State during the First Round of the 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, securing a decisive 70-49 victory on Saturday at Carmichael Arena.
This victory marks the fourth consecutive season that North Carolina has advanced to the Second Round, where they will face off against No. 6 seed West Virginia on Monday, March 24, 2025.
North Carolina, now with a record of 28-7 overall and 13-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), utilized a dominant third quarter that saw them outscore the Beavers by a staggering margin of 30-9. Lexi Donarski was a standout performer, leading all scorers with 19 points, tying her season-high by sinking five three-pointers, all of which came during the explosive third quarter.
Alyssa Ustby added to the Tar Heels' success with a remarkable performance, grabbing nine rebounds to become North Carolina's all-time leading rebounder with 1,253 career boards. She finished the game with 10 points and a team-high four assists, solidifying her status as a pivotal player for the team.
In the paint, Maria Gakdeng contributed significantly, scoring 13 points and helping the Tar Heels rack up a total of 40 points in the paint. On the defensive end, the Tar Heels showcased their prowess by holding Oregon State to under 50 points, limiting them to 10 or fewer points in two quarters of play.
The game got off to an electrifying start as North Carolina opened with a 6-0 run. They maintained a narrow lead throughout the first quarter, ending with a 15-9 advantage, thanks to Gakdeng's seven points. The second quarter saw back-and-forth scoring, and despite Oregon State tying the game at 15, North Carolina managed to regain the lead with a last-minute jumper from Kelly, heading into halftime at 26-24.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the second half. As the Tar Heels began to connect from long range, Donarski hit two three-pointers in the opening moments of the third quarter, forcing Oregon State to call a quick timeout. North Carolina built a commanding lead by outscoring the Beavers 30-9 in the period, concluding the third quarter with a 56-33 lead.
Even as Oregon State rallied with a 7-0 run at the start of the fourth, North Carolina's strong interior presence prevailed, allowing them to maintain their lead comfortably. The Tar Heels ultimately celebrated their fourth NCAA Tournament victory under head coach Courtney Banghart.
Oregon State, the No. 14 seed, saw their season come to an end at 19-16 after a Cinderella run through the West Coast Conference (WCC) tournament had earned them a spot in the national tournament. Despite their loss, head coach Scott Rueck expressed pride in his team's journey. “For this team — for it to end here today — nobody would have predicted it. Those who have been paying attention know the story; know how significant it is,” Rueck said.
Senior forward Kelsey Rees led Oregon State in scoring with 15 points and also grabbed 10 rebounds. AJ Marotte added 13 points. The Beavers held the rebounding edge, grabbing 40 to North Carolina's 32, but struggled with turnovers, giving the ball away 17 times. Despite the defeat, Rueck highlighted the importance of their achievements throughout the season, emphasizing, “This team deserves every accolade they get. They've been nothing but an inspiration.”
As they look to the future, Oregon State faces the challenge of rebuilding their roster for the next season, but they carry with them the pride of their NCAA tournament appearance, marking the 14th in program history and the ninth since Rueck took charge in 2010. The experience of the tournament is something that will resonate for the players long after the season is over.
The Tar Heels now shift their focus to West Virginia as they aim to secure a place in the Sweet 16. The exact time for the matchup at Carmichael Arena has yet to be determined.
