A&T STATISTICAL LEADERS: C Jazmin Harris (16 pts, 8-for-13 FGs, 6 rebs., 23 min.); F Kiana Adderton (6 pts., 2-for-3 FGs, 7 rebs.); G Jordyn Dorsey (5 assists). 

UNC STATISTICAL LEADERS: G/F Alyssa Ustby (15 pts., 6-for-11 FGs, 7 reb.); G Carlie Littlefield (15 pts, 6-for-7 FGs, 3-for-4 3FGs, 5 assists, 4 steals); G Deja Kelly (13 pts, 3-for-5 FGs, 2-for-2 3FGs, 4 assists, 4 steals); G Eva Hodgson (13 pts., 5-for-5 FGs, 2-for-2 3FGs, 2 steals). 

WHY A&T DID NOT GET THE W: When you're playing a Power Five like the University of North Carolina, and you're a mid-major like N.C. A&T, you need a fast start. That did not happen Tuesday night in the Aggies opener at Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels hit three 3-pointers in the first five minutes of the game and had a 16-6 lead by the first media timeout. The Aggies made just three field goals in the first quarter and trailed 20-8 going into the second period. 

WHY UNC GOT THE W: The Tar Heels were just a little quicker to the ball in every aspect of the game. They got into passing lanes. They knocked the ball away from Aggie ballhandlers, and on some occasions, they beat the Aggies off the dribble. However, the most significant part of UNC's success was A&T's 36 turnovers and the Tar Heels 42-8 advantage in points off turnovers. 

CRUCIAL: Graduate guard and preseason Big South Conference second-team selection Chanin Scott picked up her third foul with 1:49 remaining in the first half. Scott's early foul trouble led to her only playing 10 minutes in the first half and taking one field goal attempt. Not having the services of veteran players in senior Jasmen Walton and junior Shayla Nelson didn't help when you couple it with Scott's foul trouble. 

CHAPEL HILL – The last time the North Carolina A&T women's basketball team played competitively, the Aggies put a first-half scare into the ACC's North Carolina State Wolfpack, the then-No. 3 team in the nation, in the NCAA tournament last March before losing. 

In their return to action for the 2021-22 season opener, the Aggies faced another in the University of North Carolina Tuesday evening at Carmichael Arena. Tar Heels did not have the slightest sense of fright in this one as they came away with a 92-47 win in their season opener. 

But it should be noted that Tuesday's version of the N.C. A&T women's basketball team looked a lot different than the team that faced the Wolfpack last spring. N.C. A&T played six newcomers on Tuesday, and they played without two players who played a significant role in the 2021 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship run in guard Jasmen Walton (5-foot-11, SR, Baltimore, Md.) and forward Shayla Nelson (5-11, JR, Goose Creek, S.C.). 

Plus, when you've had as much success as the Aggies women's basketball program, the element of surprise is gone. Chapel Hill and Greensboro are not that far apart to where the word has not gotten to UNC head coach Courtney Banghart on how successful N.C. A&T has been under head coach Tarrell Robinson. 

Banghart said as much leading up to the game; therefore, the Tar Heels did not take N.C. A&T lightly. It showed from the opening tip. The Tar Heels had a double-figure lead, 16-6, in the game's first five minutes. The Aggies had only three made field goals over the first 12 ½ minutes and trailed 30-8 over that span. 

"You always want to win. You would certainly want a huge win like this because it would have said so much for our university and our program. But the beat goes on. As a coach, you learn not to overreact to games like this." 

It was not a night to pull out the old clipboard and draw up plays. UNC led by as many as 27 in the first half. They took a 45-21 lead into the locker room at halftime. Therefore, Robinson spent most of the evening instructing and teaching. 

"That's what you're forced to get out of this game," Robinson said about using the night to teach. "If I give up on them after the first game of the season, then I'm not doing what I've asked them to buy into. We have to get better, obviously, but tonight I'm more disappointed in our response in certain segments of the game. I'm not so much disappointed in what we saw out there overall today."

Robinson explained it would take time for his players – new and returning – to figure out how they can co-exist with one another. Mixed with numerous freshmen and transfers, they are also trying to adjust to the philosophies of Lady Aggies Basketball, according to Robinson. 

"Our new people are talented, but they're still trying to figure it out," Robinson said.

The Aggies do not play their inaugural Big South game until Dec. 29. Therefore, the Aggies will have plenty of time to figure it out. But while they do, they still must face Kansas State and the current No. 1 team in the nation in the University of South Carolina. 

"You want them to still believe, even at this moment," said Robinson. "I still believe because it's a long season. If you overreact, you lose them. I've learned that from experience. I've been down this road before. We're okay."

QUOTABLE: "They took advantage of all our turnovers. They took advantage of our no box-outs. They took advantage of us not guarding the ball. They took advantage of us not handling their on-ball screens. They took advantage of everything. But that's what they're supposed to do." 

Head coach Tarrell Robinson on the play of UNC on Tuesday

GAME NOTES

• The Aggies outrebounded the Tar Heels 36-32. 
• The Tar Heels had a 42-8 advantage in points off turnovers and a 23-2 advantage in transition points. 
• The Aggies have a few players who are familiar with the ACC and UNC. Chanin Scott played three seasons at Georgia Tech. Faith Blackstone started her career at the University of Syracuse, and Kennedy Boyd used to play for the University of North Carolina. 
• The Aggies are now 2-8 in season openers under Robinson. Tuesday marked the second time in his tenure he has opened with an ACC foe. It is the third time he has opened against a Power Five. 
• The Tar Heels are now 3-0 against the Aggies. Tuesday marked the first time the two schools have played since the 2000-01 season. 
• Tuesday marked only the 15th time in the 268-game Robinson era an opponent has shot better than 50 percent. The Tar Heels shot 54 percent in the win. 
• The Aggies have three more in-state non-conference tilts as they go to Elon on Nov. 22. They host archrival North Carolina Central on Dec. 11, and they are at East Carolina on Dec. 16.