TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Interstat) — The North Carolina Tar Heels delivered a commanding wire-to-wire victory, defeating the Florida State Seminoles 82-55 in an Atlantic Coast Conference women’s basketball game Sunday at Donald L. Tucker Center. North Carolina established control early, leading 17-8 after the first quarter and extending its advantage to 38-19 by halftime. The Tar Heels maintained their pressure throughout, outscoring Florida State in every quarter before a crowd of 1,518. The win improved North Carolina to 15-5 overall. Florida State fell to 6-13.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Interstat) — The North Carolina women’s basketball team delivered a commanding defensive performance, stifling Florida State from the opening tip and cruising to an 82-55 victory in an Atlantic Coast Conference game Sunday at Donald L. Tucker Center. The Tar Heels, improving to 15-5 overall, established control immediately with a 17-8 first quarter and never relented, holding the Seminoles to a season-low in points and a frigid 28.6% shooting from the field. Florida State fell to 6-13. The most critical phase of the game was its inception. North Carolina’s defensive intensity and offensive execution in the opening quarter rendered the outcome a foregone conclusion. The Tar Heels opened the game on a 9-0 run, forcing Florida State into missed shots and turnovers on its first four possessions. By the time Seminoles guard Amaya Bonner converted a driving layup at the 9:03 mark, the tone of suffocation had been set. North Carolina’s defense contested every look, limiting Florida State to just three made field goals in the entire first period. This early dominance allowed the Tar Heels to play with a comfortable lead, methodically extending it each quarter and suppressing any potential for a home crowd rally. Balance and efficiency defined North Carolina’s attack. Four players scored in double figures, led by Nyla Harris with 13 points. Lanie Grant added 14 points and three assists, while Ciera Toomey contributed 12 points, two assists and a block. Reniya Kelly chipped in 11 points. The Tar Heels shot 46.9% from the field and were a perfect 9 for 9 from the free-throw line. Perhaps most telling was their offensive rating of 108.9 points per 100 possessions, a model of effectiveness compared to Florida State’s struggling 75.3. The Seminoles, conversely, could not find any sustained offensive rhythm. Jasmine Shavers led all scorers with 15 points and Emma Risch added 10, but the team connected on only 8 of 25 attempts from three-point range. Florida State’s 17 turnovers, matched against only five assists, underscored their disjointed play against North Carolina’s persistent defensive pressure. Indya Nivar orchestrated the Tar Heels’ offense with a game-high six assists, facilitating ball movement that often broke down the Seminoles’ defense. North Carolina also won the battle on the glass, securing nine offensive rebounds that led to 13 second-chance points. The victory provided a strong rebound for North Carolina following a 50-73 road loss at Notre Dame earlier in the week. It also continued a troubling trend for Florida State, which has now lost eight of its last ten games. The Seminoles have particularly struggled defensively in ACC play, and the Tar Heels exploited those weaknesses from the outset. North Carolina next travels to face Georgia Tech on Thursday. Florida State will look to regroup on the road at SMU, also on Thursday. An announced crowd of 1,518 watched the game at Tucker Center. North Carolina covered the pregame spread as a 13.5-point favorite, and the total score of 137 fell well under the over/under line of 148.5, a direct result of the Tar Heels’ defensive stranglehold.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Interstat) — A surging North Carolina squad visits a Florida State team seeking momentum in an Atlantic Coast Conference women’s basketball matchup Sunday at Donald L. Tucker Center. The Tar Heels (14-5) enter on a high note after a 73-62 home victory over Miami on Thursday. Guard Reniya Kelly led the way with 24 points, continuing a strong stretch where she has averaged 11.2 points per game over her last six contests. North Carolina has won three of its last four, with the lone loss in that span coming on the road against Notre Dame. The Seminoles (6-12) snapped a three-game skid with a 69-65 road win at Pittsburgh, also on Thursday. Amaya Bonner fueled the victory with 22 points and four assists, showcasing the scoring burst she has provided lately. The junior has averaged 14.2 points over her past five games, including a 15-point, 6-rebound, 5-assist effort in a double-overtime loss to Virginia on Jan. 4. Despite their contrasting records, both teams have faced recent overtime battles in ACC play. North Carolina fell 77-71 to Stanford in extra time on Jan. 4, while Florida State’s 91-87 double-overtime defeat to Virginia preceded its current split of two games. The Tar Heels have relied on balanced scoring behind Kelly, with Indya Nivar adding 13 points and five assists against Miami. Florida State’s Sydney Bowles erupted for 24 points in the win at Pittsburgh, offering a secondary offensive threat alongside Bonner. Historically, this series has been tightly contested, adding intrigue as the Seminoles look to defend their home court and build on their latest win. North Carolina aims to solidify its standing in the ACC race before a Thursday trip to Georgia Tech. Florida State travels to SMU on Thursday. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. EST.