North Carolina Tops Illinois in Big Ten/ACC Challenge

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina hit seven of 15 threes in the first half Thursday on its way to a 85-60 win over the Illinois women's basketball team at Carmichael Arena as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The Tar Heels opened a 29-11 advantage in the first quarter that Illinois could not overcome. 

Illinois (6-2) was led by senior Brandi Beasley with 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting in her best game of the season. Beasley scored 11 points in the first half, including her first three three-pointers of the year. 

The Illini forced North Carolina (7-0) into a season-high 18 turnovers but the Tar Heels shot 48.5% from the field and 45.8% from the three-point line. Illinois tried to fight its way back by winning the second quarter, 15-14, before North Carolina used a +8 margin in the third quarter to extend its lead. 

Illinois is back in action Tuesday at State Farm Center against Merrimack at 7 p.m. CT. 

Notes
• Petra Holešínská tied Allison Curtin for eighth in Illinois history in career three-pointers (114) when she hit from the top of the key on the Illini's first possession. 
• Brandi Beasley scored a season-high 13 points and made a season-high three three-pointers. 
• The Big Ten won the first five games of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Wednesday.