CANCUN, Mexico (AP) — Laney Grant scored 15 points, three players scored 14 and 12th-ranked North Carolina defeated Kansas State 85-73 in the Cancun Challenge on Friday.
India Nivar, Nyla Harris and Nyla Brooks each scored 14 points for the Tar Heels (7-1), who were 14 of 26 on 3-pointers and shot 54.5 percent (30 of 55) overall. Grant and Brooks each had four threes.
Isela Arenas scored 15 points for the Wildcats (5-4), while Janessa Cotton, Nastia Claessens and Taryn Sides each added 13. Cotton grabbed 10 rebounds.
K-State set a program record 17 threes in Thursday's opener but was limited to 13 attempts – seven of them against the Tar Heels.
Oklahoma State was 13 of 23 on 3-pointers through three quarters and led 79-58 midway through the fourth quarter. The Wildcats attacked, making 7 of 9 shots, but couldn't get any closer because they were just 7 of 13 from the foul line.
The Tar Heels made 4 of 7 3-pointers in the first quarter to lead 22-15, then made 5 of 9 in the second to make it 50-32 at halftime. In total, they made 18 of 28 shots in the first half.
North Carolina went on a 12-2 run in the second, making five straight shots with threes from Brooks and Renia Kelly to take a 37-22 lead at the half.
The Tar Heels added four more threes to extend their lead to 21 and take a 70-51 lead into the fourth quarter.
Next
North Carolina concludes a three-game series against Columbia on Saturday.
Kansas State finishes with South Dakota State.
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