North Carolina’s dominant second-half performance, led by a scorching third-quarter effort from Lexi Donarski, propelled the Tar Heels to a convincing 70-49 victory over Oregon State in the women’s NCAA Tournament. Donarski caught fire after halftime, sparking a game-changing run that buried the Beavers and secured UNC’s spot in the next round.
After a tightly contested first half, North Carolina clung to a slim lead heading into the third quarter. That’s when Donarski took over, drilling a series of three-pointers and attacking the basket with confidence. Her explosive scoring outburst helped the Tar Heels extend their lead into double digits, leaving Oregon State scrambling to keep pace. Defensively, UNC tightened up, forcing turnovers and limiting the Beavers’ shot opportunities.
By the time the fourth quarter began, North Carolina was in full control, allowing head coach Courtney Banghart to rotate in depth players while keeping the pressure on. Donarski finished with a game-high in points, while her teammates contributed with strong rebounding and defensive efforts.
With the win, UNC advances deeper into the tournament, carrying momentum from a statement victory. If Donarski continues her hot streak, the Tar Heels could be a dangerous contender in the next round.
