Transfers Nivar, Donarski, Gakdeng help No. 16 North Carolina women rout Gardner-Webb 102-49

CHAPLE HILL, N.C. -- — Indya Nivar had 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead a trio of transfers with impressive debuts and No. 16 North Carolina beat Gardner-Webb 102-49 in the season opener for both teams on Wednesday night.

Nivar, a North Carolina native who played her freshman year at Stanford, highlighted her return home with a halfcourt buzzer-beater. Joining Nivar with a double-double was Alyssa Ustby, who had 12 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and four steals.

Lexi Donarski, a graduate transfer from Iowa State and Maria Gakdeng, a junior who came from Boston College, scored 14 and 13 points, respectively.

All five North Carolina starters scored in double figures with Deja Kella adding 14. Sophomore Paulina Paris had 15 points off the bench.

Micahia Funderburk led the Bulldogs with 16 points and Ashley Hawkins had 14.

Up by 19 at halftime, the Tar Heels had runs of 13, nine and 11 points in the third quarter to take an 85-37 lead into the fourth.

North Carolina was 16 of 23 in the third quarter, including 6 of 9 on 3-pointers, to outscore the Bulldogs 40-11. Gardner-Webb went 2 of 9 with 10 turnovers that led to 17 points. Donarski had 12 points, making all four of her 3-pointers.

With Gakdeng scoring four points, North Carolina opened the second quarter with eight-straight points for a 13-0 run and it was 45-26 at the half.

Gardner-Webb finished with 33 turnovers that were turned into 44 points and was outrebounded by 19, with the difference 18 on the offensive end. In addition to being plus-40 on points off turnovers, the Tar Heels were a plus-20 on second-chance points.

The Bulldogs were 29-5 last year but have a new coach in Scott Merritt and all new starters.

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