CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Senior Paulina Afriyie notched a double-double for the North Carolina Central University women's basketball team in a 92-53 road loss to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Sunday afternoon.
 
The Eagles kept things interesting for the first 15 minutes in their attempt to pull off the big upset against a Tar Heels programs receiving votes in the current Associated Press (AP) Top 25 Poll.
 
North Carolina (8-0) prevailed with strong play in the second half of the contest to remained perfect on the season, outscoring NCCU 49-25 in the second half.
 
Afriyie's first double-double of the season and 18th of her career consisted of team-best totals of 12 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore Ashlyn Lockard followed with nine points.
 
The Eagles held early lead three times before the first media timeout with Lockard scoring NCCU's first four points and freshman Madalyn Anderson drilling a couple 3-pointers. Anderson's second trey provided the Eagles with their last lead at 12-9.
 
However, NCCU was held without a field goal for the final 5:14 of the first quarter. UNC closed the period on a 13-2 run to lead 22-14 after 10 minutes of play.
 
Lockard ended NCCU's nearly seven-minute drought from floor with a layup at the 8:21 mark of the second quarter to pull the Eagles within five points at 22-17. Afriyie answered three Tar Heel hoops with her own basket all three times to keep NC Central within two possessions at 28-23.
 
North Carolina pulled away from that point with a 14-0 run. The Tar Heels made 11 of 14 (79%) free throws in the first half and shot 52-percent from the field compared to 33-percent by the Eagles to lead 43-28 at halftime.
 
Afriyie had eight points and six rebounds at the intermission as NCCU held an 18-17 rebounding edge at the midway break.
 
UNC kept adding to its lead in the second half to win its eighth straight game by double figures and match its season-high point total of 92. The Heels outrebounded NCCU 33-14 over the final 20 minutes.
 
A trio of Tar Heels scored in double digits, including a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds by junior Janelle Bailey. Senior Shayla Bennett and freshman Malu Tshitenge both swished 16 points.
 
Anderson and junior Zaria Atkins both contributed six points for the maroon and gray. Junior Kieche White added five assists. NCCU received scoring from 11 total Eagles.
 
NC Central (1-8) next visits University of Iowa on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 3:00 p.m.