Tar Heels Ride Hot Shooting, Balanced Attack to Cruise Past Charleston Southern
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina women’s basketball closed out its non-conference slate with a statement win, pulling away from Charleston Southern 93-74 on Sunday at Carmichael Arena. It was a performance that showcased the Tar Heels’ depth, shooting touch, and ability to share the ball - all encouraging signs as they prepare to head into the grind of ACC play.
With the win, Carolina improves to 11-3 on the season and remains perfect at home in non-conference play in five of the last six years. This one was never really in doubt after the first quarter, thanks to a second-quarter surge that saw the Tar Heels turn a competitive game into a comfortable lead.
Brooks Breaks Out
Freshman Nyla Brooks delivered a breakout performance, torching the net for a career-high 19 points on six made threes - also a personal best. She was in rhythm early and often, becoming the first Tar Heel this season to connect on five or more triples in a game. Her confidence from deep helped stretch the floor and opened up opportunities for her teammates to go to work inside and off the dribble.
Consistency from the Core
Elina Aarnisalo matched her season-high with 16 points, knocking down six field goals in a smooth, efficient effort. Meanwhile, Indya Nivar continued to be the heartbeat of the offense.
The senior guard dropped 14 points - her 14th straight game in double figures - and added a team-high six assists. Nivar’s ability to control tempo and make the right reads has been a steadying force all season, and Sunday was no exception.
In total, 10 of the 11 Tar Heels who saw the floor got in the scoring column. That kind of depth is going to be critical as the schedule ramps up.
Sharing is Winning
Carolina put together one of its most unselfish games of the season, racking up a season-high 22 assists on 33 made baskets. The ball movement was crisp, purposeful, and often led to high-percentage looks. Taissa Queiroz chipped in with a career-best four assists to go along with six rebounds and three points - a quietly impactful performance that speaks to her growing role.
Dominating the Glass
For the second straight outing, the Tar Heels owned the boards. They finished with a +20 rebounding margin, using their length and activity to limit second-chance opportunities for Charleston Southern while creating plenty of their own. Blanca Thomas made her presence felt on the defensive end with a pair of quick blocks in the second quarter, helping UNC clamp down and take control of the game.
Game Flow
Charleston Southern came out swinging, hitting back-to-back buckets and a couple of early threes to keep things interesting. But once Nivar buried a triple to snap a scoring drought, Carolina took off on a 12-0 run and never looked back. The Tar Heels led 23-13 after one, fueled by four made threes in the opening frame.
The second quarter was all Carolina. The defense tightened, the offense flowed, and the threes kept falling. By halftime, UNC had built a 25-point cushion behind 15 assists on 20 made field goals - a clinic in team basketball.
Charleston Southern opened the third with a 7-0 spurt, but the Tar Heels responded with balanced scoring and poise. With a younger lineup on the floor - including Brooks, Taliyah Henderson, and Queiroz - Carolina held firm and maintained a double-digit lead heading into the final quarter.
The Buccaneers stayed hot from deep in the fourth, but every time they threatened to close the gap, the Tar Heels had an answer. Brooks continued her shooting display, and the team finished with 11 made threes on the afternoon - their third game this season with 10 or more.
What’s Next
With non-conference play in the books, Carolina now turns its attention to the ACC gauntlet. After a short holiday break, the Tar Heels will hit the road to face Boston College on Monday, Dec.
- Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.
ET, with coverage on ACC Network.
If Sunday’s performance is any indication, Carolina is finding its rhythm at the right time - and with contributions coming from up and down the roster, this group looks ready for what’s next.