University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: DALTON WAINSCOTT
November 11, 2026 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Back in the confines of Carmichael Arena for its home opener against NC Central on Wednesday night, No. 23 North Carolina let it fly with a program-record 18 threes in a 109-40 victory over the Eagles. Carolina has now won its last nine home openers.
North Carolina (1-2) had a dominant showing on both ends of the court, recording 13 steals while holding NC Central (2-2) to just 40 points. The Tar Heels also extended their home winning streak against unranked non-conference opponents to 35 games.
Leading Carolina in scoring for the second consecutive game, Nyla Brooks posted 17 points while connecting on five triples. Kate Harpring and Achol Akot followed with 16 and 15 points, respectively, with Akot matching her career high of seven assists.
Wasting no time from deep, the Tar Heels knocked down four threes in the opening five minutes, including two from Brooks. Carolina's strong defensive effort limited the Eagles' opportunities inside, helping the Tar Heels build a 19-point lead through the first quarter.
Continuing to control the pace in the second, Carolina held NC Central without a field goal for the final six minutes of the half. Jordan Zubich added her first four points of the season as the Tar Heels headed into the locker room with a commanding 54-15 advantage.
Keeping the momentum going out of the break, Reniya Kelly opened the second half with a three-pointer. Blanca Thomas added a career-high 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds, while Harpring matched her career high with five assists as Carolina continued to pull away.
The Tar Heels kept their foot on the gas in the final quarter, breaking the previous single-game program record of 16 three-pointers with their 17th of the night. Team captain Sydney Barker knocked down the record-breaking three, marking her first points of the season. Laila Hull added 13 points, including three triples, while Taissa Queiroz contributed a career-high six points as Carolina closed out the 109-40 victory.
North Carolina finished with 40 bench points, 25 second-chance points and 22 fast-break points in the wire-to-wire victory. The Tar Heels also reached the 100-point mark and recorded 30 assists, their first game with at least 25 assists since totaling 28 against NC Central in 2024.
Next up, Carolina heads north for its lone true road game of the non-conference slate on Saturday, visiting the City of Brotherly Love against Penn from the Palestra. The Tar Heels and Quakers meet for the first time in program history at 4 p.m. ET, streaming on ESPN+.
North Carolina (1-2) had a dominant showing on both ends of the court, recording 13 steals while holding NC Central (2-2) to just 40 points. The Tar Heels also extended their home winning streak against unranked non-conference opponents to 35 games.
Leading Carolina in scoring for the second consecutive game, Nyla Brooks posted 17 points while connecting on five triples. Kate Harpring and Achol Akot followed with 16 and 15 points, respectively, with Akot matching her career high of seven assists.
Wasting no time from deep, the Tar Heels knocked down four threes in the opening five minutes, including two from Brooks. Carolina's strong defensive effort limited the Eagles' opportunities inside, helping the Tar Heels build a 19-point lead through the first quarter.
Continuing to control the pace in the second, Carolina held NC Central without a field goal for the final six minutes of the half. Jordan Zubich added her first four points of the season as the Tar Heels headed into the locker room with a commanding 54-15 advantage.
Keeping the momentum going out of the break, Reniya Kelly opened the second half with a three-pointer. Blanca Thomas added a career-high 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds, while Harpring matched her career high with five assists as Carolina continued to pull away.
The Tar Heels kept their foot on the gas in the final quarter, breaking the previous single-game program record of 16 three-pointers with their 17th of the night. Team captain Sydney Barker knocked down the record-breaking three, marking her first points of the season. Laila Hull added 13 points, including three triples, while Taissa Queiroz contributed a career-high six points as Carolina closed out the 109-40 victory.
North Carolina finished with 40 bench points, 25 second-chance points and 22 fast-break points in the wire-to-wire victory. The Tar Heels also reached the 100-point mark and recorded 30 assists, their first game with at least 25 assists since totaling 28 against NC Central in 2024.
Next up, Carolina heads north for its lone true road game of the non-conference slate on Saturday, visiting the City of Brotherly Love against Penn from the Palestra. The Tar Heels and Quakers meet for the first time in program history at 4 p.m. ET, streaming on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
Thursday, November 12
Thursday, November 12
Thursday, November 12
Wednesday, November 11

























