UNC Women’s Basketball Dominates Boston College in ACC Road Opener
CHESTNUT HILL, MASS. - After a week off for the holidays, North Carolina women’s basketball wasted no time shaking off the rust. The 16th-ranked Tar Heels came out blazing and never looked back, cruising to a commanding 90-39 win over Boston College in their ACC road opener Monday night at Conte Forum.
With the win, Carolina improves to 12-3 on the season and 1-1 in conference play. And when it comes to ACC games on the road, the Tar Heels have been nearly automatic lately - now 9-1 in their last 10.
Paint Party in Chestnut Hill
The story of the night? Total domination in the paint.
UNC outscored Boston College 52-14 inside, imposing their will from the opening tip. Nyla Harris led the charge with a season-high 19 points in just 19 minutes, pairing it with a team-best nine rebounds.
Harris was everywhere - finishing strong at the rim, cleaning the glass, and setting the tone physically.
Ciera Toomey added to the interior onslaught with 11 points and eight boards of her own, giving Carolina a relentless frontcourt presence that Boston College simply couldn’t match.
Freshman Firepower
Nyla Brooks continues to shine in her first season in Chapel Hill. The freshman poured in 15 points - her third straight game in double figures - and added three rebounds and two assists. Whether it’s slashing to the rim or knocking down midrange looks, Brooks is quickly becoming a reliable scoring option for this Tar Heel squad.
And it wasn’t just the rookies making noise. Reniya Kelly, working her way back from injury, delivered her best performance of the season. The sophomore guard scored nine points, dished out three assists, and added two steals - a strong all-around effort that signals she’s rounding back into form.
Sharing is Winning
One of the most impressive aspects of Carolina’s performance was the ball movement. The Tar Heels racked up a season-high 24 assists on 38 made field goals - a clear sign of a team playing unselfish, connected basketball.
Lanie Grant led the way with a career-best five assists, orchestrating the offense with poise and precision. Whether it was in transition or the half court, UNC consistently found the open player, turning good shots into great ones.
Fast Start, Strong Finish
Carolina wasted no time setting the tone. Just six seconds after tipoff, they were on the board.
A quick 7-0 run put the Eagles on their heels early, and UNC’s defense clamped down from there. Boston College struggled to find any rhythm offensively, enduring multiple scoring droughts in the opening quarter.
A steal and score by Kayla McPherson capped a strong start, giving the Tar Heels a 20-13 lead after one.
The second quarter was all Carolina. The Tar Heels held the Eagles scoreless for the first three and a half minutes and closed the half on a 16-0 run.
A corner triple from Kelly highlighted the surge, and by halftime, UNC had built a 46-18 lead. The interior dominance was on full display - 26 of those first-half points came in the paint.
Closing Time
Harris opened the third with five quick points, and while Boston College briefly trimmed the deficit to 24, Elina Aarnisalo answered with a three - the fifth of the night for Carolina - to stop the bleeding. Aarnisalo scored seven of her nine points in the third, helping the Tar Heels keep their foot on the gas.
By the fourth quarter, head coach Courtney Banghart had the luxury of emptying the bench. The damage was done, and the message was clear: Carolina came to play. The 51-point margin marked a statement win to open ACC road play - the third straight year UNC has started its conference road slate with a victory.
What’s Next
The Tar Heels now head back to Chapel Hill for a two-game homestand to start the new year. First up: a New Year’s Day matinee against California at Carmichael Arena. Tipoff is set for noon, and the game will be broadcast nationally on ACC Network.
After a dominant road performance like this, Carolina returns home with momentum - and a frontcourt that looks ready to carry them deep into ACC play.