University of North Carolina Athletics
No. 11 WBB Staves Off Elon, Moves To 2-0
November 6, 2025 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – No. 11 North Carolina women's basketball secured their eleventh straight win against Elon in Carmichael Arena on Thursday night, behind a standout performance from Indya Nivar with 13 points and six steals. Carolina moves to 2-0, defeating the Phoenix 71-37. This is Carolina's 30th straight win against unranked non-conference opponents in Carmichael.
The Tar Heels showcased their hot hands with a team total of 19 steals, the second straight season UNC began the first two games with 10 or more steals. It also tied for the most in a single-game under head coach Courtney Banghart.
Joining Nivar in double figures, Nyla Brooks, Taliyah Henderson, and Lanie Grant added 10, 10 and 11, respectively. On the defensive side, Ciera Toomey led the way with a career best 12 rebounds. Toomey starts the season with back-to-back double-figure rebounding performances.
After a tightly contested first quarter, Nivar sparked the Tar Heel offense with a steal and score in the final four minutes. Just minutes later, first-year standout Brooks would bury a three-pointer to keep the Tar Heels rolling with the lead heading into the second at 16-12.
UNC continued to hold a slim lead, despite the Phoenix starting 2-of-3 from three in the second. The Tar Heels stayed active on the defensive side, forcing five steals in the second quarter. Heading into the half, Brooks grabbed an offensive rebound and forced another steal, dishing to Nivar for a score to end on a 7-0 run and remain ahead 29-20 at the break.
Out of the half, the Tar Heels got it done on the boards, featured by Toomey's three offensive rebounds. UNC' defense was on lock limiting the Phoenix to just nine points in the third quarter. Henderson added two steals to the team's total of seven in the third quarter.
Throughout the final 10 minutes of the game, UNC held Elon to multiple scoring droughts, shooting just 26.7% from the field in the final frame. The Tar Heels exploded on offense from three, shooting 3-of-5 with contributions from Grant and Jordan Zubich.
The Tar Heels will enjoy the week off before taking flight to Sin City for the WBCA Challenge where the team will face No. 3 UCLA in the first of two games in Michelob Ultra Arena on November 13. The tip is set for 9 p.m. ET., on ESPN2.
