University of North Carolina Athletics
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Rivalry Renewed, Women's Basketball Goes Head-To-Head Vs. NC State In Raleigh
February 1, 2026 | Women's Basketball
RV/No. 23 NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS (17-5, 6-3 ACC)
Head Coach: Courtney Banghart (Dartmouth, 2000)
Record at North Carolina: 142-69 (7th season)
Career Record: 396-172 (19th season)
NC STATE WOLFPACK (15-6, 8-2 ACC)
Head Coach: Wes Moore (Tennessee, 1986)
Record at NC State: 316-101 (13th season)
Career Record: 874-270 (37th season)
GAME COVERAGE
TV: ESPN2
PxP: Beth Mowins
Analyst: Debbie Antonelli
Radio: Sirius XM 380
• Matt Krause
TIPPING OFF
• The rivalry continues as North Carolina and NC State square off for the lone meeting of the season as the Tar Heels take the trip across the Triangle to Reynolds Coliseum on Monday. Last year, Carolina claimed the meeting in Chapel Hill, while NC State earned the win in the 2025 ACC Tournament Semifinal in Greensboro.
• A win on Monday would be Carolina's first victory in Raleigh since January of 2019. In the last five meetings on campus, the home team is 5-0.
• Riding a four-game winning streak, the Tar Heels picked up two wins in Carmichael and two on the road, including its first overtime victory of the season.
• Hitting her stride in conference play, Reniya Kelly is riding a four-game double-figure scoring streak and posting 10.4 points per game in ACC action.
SERIES NOTES...
In Chapel Hill: UNC leads 31-19
In Raleigh: NCSU leads 31-18
At Neutral Sites: NCSU leads 10-7
Longest UNC Streak: 8 straight (1/22/12-1/22/15)
Longest NCSU Streak: 19 straight (1/26/76-12/12/81)
Largest UNC Win: 27 (2/16/94 - in Chapel Hill)
Largest NCSU Win: 31 (2/10/78 - in Charlottesville)
Most UNC Points: 99 (3/4/84 - in Fayetteville)
Most NCSU Points: 95 (2/24/79 - in Boone)
Last 10 Meetings: NCSU leads 6-4
SCOUTING THE WOLFPACK
Entering Monday's game at 15-6 overall, the Wolfpack have found their footing in conference play with a record of 8-2.
The ACC's most potent offense in conference action, the Wolfpack are currently posting 83.40 points per game and lead the league in field goal percentage at 48.2%.
With three currently averaging 15.0 points or more in league action, the trio of Zoe Brooks, Khamil Pierre, and Zamareya Jones carries the load for the Wolfpack.
Pierre ranks seventh nationally with 11.7 rebounds per outing and has tallied 13 total double-doubles this year.
SERIES HISTORY VS. NC STATE
In the series dating back to 1975, Carolina trails by a small margin of five games at 56-61.
Last season, Carolina and NC State split both meetings, with the Tar Heels winning in Chapel Hill and the Wolfpack earning the victory in the ACC Tournament Semifinal.
In Reynolds, NC State boasts the advantage at 31-18. The home team has come away with the victory in the last five campus meetings.
Under Banghart, the Tar Heels are 5-7 against the Wolfpack.
LAST TIME OUT
Carolina pieced together 45 minutes of basketball to give it its first overtime victory of the season, defeating Syracuse, 77-71 in Chapel Hill.
Rattling off a season-high 21 points and 11 rebounds, Nyla Harris carried Carolina in scoring and off the glass against the Orange.
Lanie Grant knocked down a career-high five made triples en route to 17 points in the back-and-forth affair.
It was Harris's effort in OT to score five of Carolina's nine points to will the Tar Heels to victory.
FREE BASKETBALL
By knocking off the Orange in overtime, Carolina has now come away with a win in extra time for the second year in-a-row.
Under Banghart, the Tar Heels have picked up wins when extra time is needed.
Luckily, the Tar Heels have not played in a double-overtime contest since December of 2014.
SHOOT YOUR SHOT
The three-ball has clearly been flying at a high rate for the Tar Heels, as Carolina has drained 62 total triples in ACC action to date.
Grant paces the Tar Heels against conference foes with 19 total triples.
Last season, Carolina set a new best under Banghart with 120 made threes in ACC play.
MAKE 'EM MISS
Known for an aggressive defensive presence, the Tar Heels lead all ACC teams in conference play by holding their opponents to 35.8% from the field.
Against ACC foes, the Tar Heels have held five teams below 40% from the field. Carolina has held its last four opponents below the threshold. Carolina has held four consecutive ACC opponents in shooting under 40% from the floor in each of the last three seasons.
On the defensive end, Carolina has limited two teams to under 50 points. Through nine conference games, the Tar Heels are holding teams to 61.56 points per game to rank fourth in the league.
1K CLUB
Scoring six points against Georgia Tech, Nyla Harris eclipsed the 1,000career point threshold in Atlanta.
The senior is averaging 8.1 points per game throughout her career, and 10.8 in her lone season as a Tar Heel.
Against Syracuse, Harris came alive in the paint to score a career-high 21 points. Her presence was felt on the defensive side, with a season-high 11 rebounds.
This season, Harris boasts three double-doubles with two coming in ACC action.
THE JOURNEY TO 400
In her 19th season as a head coach, Courtney Banghart is four wins away from hitting the 400-win achievement.
When she reaches the threshold, Banghart will be one of 47 active coaches in Division I women's basketball with 400 or more wins.
DOMINATE THE GLASS
Not only did the Tar Heels grab a season-high 55 rebounds at Georgia Tech, but they also bullied the Yellow Jackets off the glass with a rebounding margin of +21.
The margin was Carolina's largest against an ACC foe since +26 versus Syracuse during the 2021-22 season.
Dominant on the glass, Carolina has outrebounded five opponents by 20-plus boards, tied for the most in a season since 2021-22.
Ciera Toomey was dominant in Atlanta, collecting a career-high 15 rebounds. Her rebounds also marked the most in a single game by a Tar Heel this year.
Under Banghart, Carolina has tallied 50-plus rebounds against ACC foes in 12 total games.
All six of Carolina's ACC wins have come when outrebounding its opponent. Overall, Carolina is 16-1 this season when outrebounding its opponents.
GRIT OVER QUIT
Points came at a premium in Carolina's victory at Georgia Tech, with the Tar Heels grinding away to earn the 54-46 victory.
Under Banghart, the Tar Heels have won seven games when scoring under 55 points.
SECOND CHANCE - TAKEN
Taking advantage, Carolina tallied a season-high 20 second-chance points in the victory at Florida State.
It also marked the most in a game since facing off against Florida State last season in the 2025 ACC Tournament.
The Tar Heels tallied 15+ second-chance points in the stretch against Miami, Florida State, and Georgia Tech for the longest stretch since December of 2023.
SHOOTERS SHOOT
Feeling it from three as a team, the Tar Heels knocked down 13 three-pointers at Florida State for their most in an ACC game this season.
Lanie Grant was hot from beyond the arc, matching her then career-best with four made triples.
Overall, seven Tar Heels knocked down a shot from deep in the most triples drained against an ACC foe since at Pitt last season.
The 36 attempts from deep also marked the most attempts in an ACC game in stats dating back to 2002-03.
KEEP THEM GUESSING
In holding Florida State to a mere 28.6% from the field, the Tar Heels have now held two ACC opponents this season to under 30% from the field. Carolina limited Boston College to 21.3% from the field in its victory in Chestnut Hill.
It's the first time since the 2022-23 season that Carolina has held two ACC opponents under the 30% threshold.
This season, Carolina has held six opponents to under 30% from the field in a game. In conference play, Carolina ranks No. 1 among ACC teams in holding its foes to 35.8% shooting.
When holding opponents under 40% from the field this season, Carolina is undefeated at 12-0.
HERE COMES RK
With the third 20-point outing of her career, Reniya Kelly was unstoppable against Miami. The junior came out strong with nine points in the first quarter en route to a career-high 24 points.
Kelly was the first Tar Heel to eclipse the 20-point threshold in a game this season.
Hot from all over the floor, Kelly shot 9-of-14 from the field and knocked down four of five triples.
In ACC action, Kelly is currently one of two Tar Heels averaging double-figures in scoring with 10.4 points per game.
Kelly is currently riding a four-game double-figure scoring streak, the second-longest streak in her career, in which she has done so in league play.
STEALS ON STEALS ON STEALS
Always having her eye on the ball, Indya Nivar has proven to be one of the most tenacious defenders in the nation.
Nivar currently ranks No. 14 overall nationally with a total of 65 steals and No. 23 with 2.95 steals per game. She's snagged three or more steals in 12 total games this season.
The senior is currently on track to become the first Tar Heel to snag 70 steals in a season since 2012-13.
KEEPING IT 100
Despite its past struggles from the charity stripe this season, Carolina locked in against Miami and Florida State to knock down all 10 and then nine of its free-throw attempts.
Carolina followed up its performance against the Hurricanes, shooting 9-of-9 from the charity stripe in Tallahassee. The Tar Heels have now shot perfectly from the line in five games under Banghart.
Both games set a new mark as the most attempted without a miss in a game during the Banghart era, marking the only such occurrence dating back to the 2002-03 season. Carolina has never shot 100% from the line in two straight games in a season, going back to 2002-03.
ARTISTS IN THE PAINT
The tandem of Nyla Harris and Ciera Toomey has proven to be dangerous on the inside, assisting the Tar Heels to an average of 37.2 points per game in the paint.
As a team, the Tar Heels have posted 50+ point games in the paint four times this season.
BATTLING ON THE BOARDS
The rebounding battle is key to Carolina's success this season, as the Tar Heels are 16-1 when winning the boards.
In Carolina's six ACC wins, the Tar Heels have outrebounded their opponents by an average of +9.8 boards per game.
Overall, Carolina owns a rebounding margin of +6.9 this season.
CLICKING IN CONFERENCE
Scoring in double figures in the first four conference games, Nyla Harris rattled off a career-long streak in league action.
Harris was the first Tar Heel to start off league action riding a five-game double-digit scoring streak since Alyssa Ustby did so at the start of 2022-23 ACC play.
The senior forward has posted double-figures in six out of nine conference games.
Currently, Harris is shooting 58.0% from the floor en route to 13.2 points per outing in ACC games.
WELCOMING NOELLE TO THE FOLD
After graduating early from Xavier College Preparatory in Phoenix, Ariz., Noelle Bofia has joined the Tar Heels for the Spring of 2026.
A four-star recruit and rated as the No. 52 overall prospect in the Class of 2026 by ESPN, Bofia is set to redshirt and practice with the Tar Heels this semester.
B A L A N C E
In any given game, any Tar Heel has the chance to shine with four currently averaging double-figures in scoring for Carolina.
So far this season, nine different Tar Heels have led in scoring in a game, with nine overall posting double-figure outings.
Indya Nivar and Nyla Brooks have led Carolina in scoring in five games apiece this season.
SNEAK ATTACK
It's no secret that the Tar Heels love to defend, as UNC currently ranks No. 4 among ACC teams with an average of 10.0 steals per game.
Against Boston College, California, and Stanford, Carolina posted double-figure steals with an ACC game-high 12 steals against California. Nyla Harris led the Tar Heels with a career-high five swipes against the Bears.
SCORING EARLY, SCORING OFTEN
With all 14 Tar Heels hitting the court at Boston College, Carolina posted an eye-popping 90 points in its win over the Eagles.
It marked the most points scored in an ACC game for UNC since 92 against Syracuse on Dec. 17, 2020. The 90 points scored in Chestnut Hill were also the most in an ACC road victory since dropping 92 at Boston College in February of 2009.
Dating back to the 2000 season, North Carolina has scored 90-plus points in an ACC game 30 times.
The 51-point victory was also Carolina's best to date of the season and its best in any ACC game in program history.
PASS THE BALL
Dishing out the ball at a high rate, 24 assists at Boston College marked a new season-high for UNC. Carolina has dished out 20 or more assists in six games this season.
Lanie Grant dropped a new career-high with five assists at Boston College, while overall 11 Tar Heels dished out an assist in the road victory.
Overall, Carolina has dished out 15+ assists in 15 games this year. Indya Nivar currently paces Carolina with 3.6 dimes per game and has dished out five or more helpers in seven games.
STACKING WINS EARLY
Rattling off 11 wins against non-conference foes accomplished a new feat for Courtney Banghart in her time at Carolina.
It marked the first time Carolina had reached 11 wins in non-conference action in back-to-back seasons under Banghart, and the first time since the 2012-13 season.
ALL HANDS IN
As all 14 Tar Heels entered the game against UNCW, Carolina's reserves made a strong impact against the Seahawks.
The Carolina bench posted 49 points, the most in a game this season. Averaging 28.7 points per game from its reserves, Carolina ranks No. 2 in the ACC and No. 17 nationally in bench points per game.
16 out of 17 wins this season have come when the Tar Heel bench outscores their opponent.
COUGH IT UP
Forcing 20 or more turnovers in 10 games this season, Carolina is averaging 18.32 per game from its opponents to rank fourth overall in the ACC.
Last year, Carolina forced 13 teams to turnover the ball 20 or more times.
Currently, Carolina is averaging 19.92 points per game off opponent miscues.
The Tar Heels scored an ACC high 22 points at Boston College due to Eagle turnovers.
LOCK DOWN DEFENSE
Aggressive defense is a focal point under head coach Courtney Banghart, and her teams have proven so.
In year seven of the Banghart era, the Tar Heels have held 51 opponents under the 50-point threshold. This season, UNC has kept nine opponents under the mark.
The Tar Heels are 49-2 under Banghart when holding opponents to fewer than 50 points.
By limiting Boston College to 39 points, Carolina has now held 15 teams under Banghart below the 40-point threshold.
BOUNCE BACK
This season, Carolina is 4-1 in its next game when coming off a loss.
Overall, the Tar Heels are 38-25 under Courtney Banghart off a loss and 28-12 since the start of the 2021-22 season.
NO SHOTS HERE
Limiting Boston University and Boston College to a mere 13 made field goals marked the fewest allowed in a game by the Tar Heels this season.
Carolina limited UNCW to only four points in the fourth quarter, the lowest by any opponent in a quarter this year.
In the second quarter at Boston College, UNC held the Eagles to only five points, the fewest by an ACC team this season.
KEEPING ALL INVOLVED
Already proving to be one of Carolina's best offenses under Courtney Banghart, Carolina's scoring options are plentiful, as eight different Tar Heels have recorded double-figure games.
11 out of 17 of Carolina's wins this season have come when four or more Tar Heels record double-figures in scoring.
Indya Nivar paces this trend, scoring 10 or more points in 17 out of 22 games this season.
GOING STREAKING
Riding a 34-game home win streak against unranked non-conference opponents, Carolina took care of business and earned wins.
During this streak, Carolina boasts a margin of victory of 38.3 points in the 34 consecutive wins dating back to 2019.
THRIVING IN PARADISE
Rattling off three wins in three days at the 2025 Cancun Challenge, North Carolina picked up its second straight multi-team event title and its fifth under Banghart.
Indya Nivar took home Cancun Challenge Tournament MVP honors, while Lanie Grant earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
NOTHING BUT NET
In the first edition of the 2025-26 NCAA Women's Basketball NET, North Carolina came in at No. 13 overall.
The Tar Heels have earned six quad-two wins this season. A win over NC State on Monday would be Carolina's first quad one win of the season.
The Tar Heels sit at No. 21 in the NET prior to Monday's game at NC State.
CAN'T STOP HER
In Cancun, Indya Nivar stuffed the stat sheet and averaged 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.7 steals, and 6.0 assists per game while shooting 56.3% from the floor.
Nivar is the first player in the Banghart era to snag four or more steals in three straight games.
Her seven assists against Kansas State were the most by any Tar Heel in a single game this season and set a new career high for the senior.
Her play in Cancun earned her ACC Player of the Week honors for the first time in her career. Reniya Kelly joins her as the only two active Tar Heels to earn the distinction.
THREES ON THREES ON THREES
When Carolina shoots from beyond the arc, there's a high chance it's going in. Against Kansas State, the Tar Heels knocked down 14 made triples.
The mark tied the program record, which had been previously set 11 times. Knocking down 14 triples against the Wildcats marked the third time under Banghart in which Carolina reached the threshold.
Carolina's performance against Kansas State from deep also set a new standard. With four straight games with 10 or more triples, it's the first time in available program records that Carolina has achieved the feat.
This season, Carolina has knocked down 10-plus triples in nine games. Carolina has already bested last season's mark of eight games with double-figure triples.
One of the best three-point shooting teams nationally, Carolina ranks fourth in the ACC from beyond the arc at a 34.4% clip and ranks third with 8.1 triples per game
HISTORY - WRITTEN
In a historic performance, Indya Nivar's triple-double of 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 steals marked the second triple-double in the rich history of Carolina women's basketball.
Nivar joins former teammate Alyssa Ustby as the only two Tar Heels to achieve the feat.
Her 10 steals also etched her name again in the Carolina record books, matching the program single-game record set by Pam Leake in 1985.
Nivar is the second ACC player to record a triple-double this season, and the 50th in the history of the conference.
By recording a triple-double with steals, Nivar is the fourth to accomplish the feat in the history of the league.
RUNNING DEEP
Depth is a huge factor for the Tar Heels this season, as they currently average 27.4 points per game from their reserves. Carolina's bench scoring ranks No. 21 nationally and second overall in the ACC.
RIGHT ON TARGET
The shots were falling against UNCG, as Carolina ended up shooting 39-of-59 from the field for a percentage of 66.1%.
This mark ranked No. 2 in a single-game field goal percentage at UNC and holds the record in the Banghart era.
The mark is the second-highest field goal percentage by an ACC team this season.
WINNING IS A TRADITION
Throughout the history of North Carolina women's basketball, it has boasted 30 20-win seasons.
A win over South Dakota State gave Carolina its 1,100th program victory. The Tar Heels became the 17th Division I women's program to reach the mark and the third in the ACC.
AN EMERGING LEADER
In her final season in Carolina Blue, Indya Nivar is making it count as she has posted double-digits in each outing this year.
The Apex, N.C., native started her season with a career-long streak of 14 consecutive games in double-figure scoring.
She currently ranks third for Carolina with an average of 10.4 points per game.
Not only is Nivar showing her leadership on the offensive end, but she is also shining on defense. Her 2.95 steals per game rank second in the ACC, and her 65 total rank 14th nationally.
LET IT FLY
The three-ball has been good to the Tar Heels this season, as Carolina has knocked down 179 triples to date.
Last year, the Tar Heels set a new program record with a total of 269 made threes in 2024-25.
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
With plenty of noise surrounding Nyla Brooks, the true freshman sure delivered against NC Central. The Waldorf, Md., product led all scorers with 15 points, while shooting 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.
Brooks became the first freshman to lead Carolina in scoring in its opening game since Deja Kelly scored 19 points against Radford in 2020.
Following up her opening day performance with 10 points against Elon, Brooks continued the streak that Kelly set in 2020.
TAR HEELS AND NCAA TOURNAMENT FOES
Prepping for March all throughout November and December, Carolina is set to take on eight NCAA Tournament squads between its exhibition and the regular season during its non-conference slate.
- South Carolina - 2025 Final Four
- UCLA - 2025 Final Four
- Fairfield - 2025 First Round
- UNCG - 2025 First Round
- South Dakota State - 2025 Second Round
- Kansas State - 2025 Sweet 16
- Columbia - 2025 First Round
- Texas - 2025 Final Four
MILESTONE WATCH
- 396 career wins
- Five away from 400 - would be one of 47 active head coaches with 400 wins.
• Reniya Kelly -
- 140 career assists.
- 5 away from 150.
• Indya Nivar -
- 196 career steals.
- Four away from 200.
WHAT'S NEXT
A quick turnaround awaits, as Carolina is back in action on Thursday, Feb. 5 against Clemson in Chapel Hill.
Tipoff against the Tigers from Carmichael Arena is set for 6 p.m. ET, airing on ACC Network.
