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Charleston Southern's Katie Tull attempts a three-pointer as Tar Heel Tierra Ruffin-Pratt attempts to block the shot. (Photo by Rob Rowe)
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Tar Heel freshman Waltiea Rolle aims for the basket in UNC's victory over CSU. (Photo by Rob Rowe)
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Carolina's Cetera DeGraffenreid dribbles past CSU's Terry Helle. (Photo by Rob Rowe)
SMITH CENTER/CHAPEL HILL UNC is home for a rare early Sunday afternoon game in women's basketball, the 12:30 starting time necessitated by the men's game against Nevada later in the day.
The unbeaten No. 4 Tar Heels' opponent is Charleston Southern, another foe from the Big South Conference that seems to be Coach Sylvia Hatchell's favorite reservoir of non-conference home opponents.
As usual in these games, the Tar Heels will be heavy favorites.
Forward Laura Broomfield is back in the lineup after a one-game disciplinary suspension, and makes the start. Still on the bench is freshman guard Krista Gross, out for her second game with a broken bone in her hand.
From the beginning of the game, it's obvious Julie Goodenough's Buccaneers have a solid game plan and aren't coming in already admitting defeat. And even though it isn't successful, the 3-point barrage is good enough to keep the game interesting for almost 40 minutes before the Tar Heels finally prevail 76-67.
CSU comes out firing 3-pointers as if close-in shots are illegal. The Bucs lead 9-7 early, and it isn't until the 10:52 mark of the first half that the visitors score on something other than a three-point play.