Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby combine for 36 of North Carolina’s 61 points in the Jumpman Invitational.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Deja Kelly didn’t make it to North Carolina’s post-game press conference after Tuesday’s 61-52 win over Oklahoma.
She battled a sickness for three days that left her vomiting both during and after the team’s Jumpman Invitational contest – a game that began more than 30 minutes after its scheduled start time and concluded at the stroke of midnight.
Alyssa Ustby said she’d never played a game that started as late as Tuesday’s, which began at officially 10:06 p.m. But she and Kelly had enough in the tank to help outlast the Sooners.
“Deja and Alyssa, that’s a good way to start,” Courtney Banghart said. “It was real talk about how our best players have to play really well (after the loss to UConn), and that’s exactly what they did.”
The Tar Heels’ starting seniors led them offensively all night. Kelly scored 21 points on 7-14 shooting, passing the 1,500-point plateau in her career. She also pulled down six rebounds. Ustby finished the game with a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double and three blocks. Kelly and Ustby had combined for 31 of UNC’s 36 points at the half.
“Alyssa played really, really well on both ends and Deja was throwing up in timeouts,” Banghart told ESPN. “And she’s puking right now.” So, what did she do? was able to do tonight while really, really sick was pretty remarkable.”
North Carolina struggled with turnovers early on, coughing it up six times in the first quarter, allowing Oklahoma to break out into transition early on. UNC’s superior ball management limited the Sooners’ opportunities, allowing the Tar Heels to cut into the advantage and tie the game at halftime.
UNC opened the second half on a 12-0 run and limited Oklahoma to just six points in the period.
“I think the turning point was just reminding each other what our scout is about,” Ustby said. “Just locking into personnel, communicating on offense and defense and just getting the looks that we want.”
Kelly, who scored 20 or more points for the third time this season, strongly affirmed to Banghart on Monday that she would play in the Jumpman Invitational. Banghart hadn’t even seen Kelly for a few days before that, but the senior guard soldiered on regardless.
“This is her Michael Jordan game,” Banghart said.
Ustby added: “Deja is a dog. That girl will do anything for her teammates, and she knows how much she brings to our team.”
Ustby and Kelly both came to UNC out of high school in 2020, and their on-court chemistry has steadily risen by the year. Both players can take certain cues from each other during games and know where to be and where to pass the ball.
When asked about their friendship, Ustby poured praise on Kelly, and Banghart extended her left hand towards her to interrupt, not only contributing to Ustby’s words but also ensuring the Rochester forward knew her own improvement. When they first became teammates, Ustby deferred to Kelly at times, but Kelly wanted her to realise what she brought to the table as well.
“I think Deja’s just really made sure Alyssa knows this success is in large part because of you,” Banghart stated, before turning to face Ustby. “I believe your development, Alyssa, is realising that this is also your team. And you can see it from Alyssa. Much more vocal and easily coached.”
Other Tar Heels began to contribute to the scoring effort in the second half of Tuesday’s game, bringing the team’s record to 8-4. North Carolina’s non-conference schedule is finally over, and the team will return to Carmichael Arena on New Year’s Eve to face Clemson.
Kelly and Ustby will lead the charge for this year’s UNC team during league play, similar to the last several seasons and Tuesday night’s late tip.
“That’s what’s been fun, is to watch them really bring each other along,” Banghart went on to say. “I think Deja’s showing (Ustby) that they’re equal in what we’re doing.”
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