University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
23-6,12-4ACC
Pittsburgh
8-21,1-15ACC
Three-Ball Powers No. 22 Women’s Basketball Past Pitt, 78-50
February 22, 2026 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Fourteen three-point baskets powered No. 22 North Carolina women's basketball to a 78-50 victory over Pitt on Sunday afternoon in Carmichael Arena. The Tar Heels' 14 makes from behind the arc match a program best. The contest marked the 11th time this season with 10 or more makes from behind the arc.
No. 22 North Carolina (23-6, 12-4 ACC) rode its young talent to a win over Pitt (8-21, 1-15), draining 14 3-pointers in the process. For the first time in over 20 years, North Carolina has won 12 conference games in back-to-back seasons.
In her first career start, Nyla Brooks exploded on offense tallying 18 points, hitting three scores deep. Alongside her was Laila Hull who posted a career-high 17 points, shooting a 50% clip from behind the arc. Hull also added four rebounds and a steal on the defensive end of the floor.
Sharing the ball continues to prove successful for North Carolina. The Tar Heels collected 19 assists, its 20th game this season with 15 or more. The guard tandem of Lanie Grant and Elina Aarnisalo combined for 10 assists, five each, with Aarnisalo notching the 200th assist of her career.
Down low, Ciera Toomey made her presence with four blocks in the first half, her career-high in an ACC game. Defense remains key to North Carolina's success on the floor, as a team, North Carolina held the Panthers to 30.6% on the floor, the tenth ACC opponent the Tar Heels have held under 40% and 17th overall.
At the tip, the North Carolina offense got off to a slower start, missing put back shots down low. Nyla Harris got the scoring started after the lull with her lone bucket of the day, playing limited minutes. Aarnisalo led the offensive efforts early with a key bucket off an inbound play and a score from deep to pull the Tar Heels within two points. Ending the first quarter on a strong defensive note, the Panthers held a 14-12 advantage.
The Tar Heels erupted in the second by scoring 30, tying the season high in points scored in a quarter. Hull knocked down four triples in the frame to match her career high in three-pointers. Brooks also made major contributions across the floor grabbing two boards and adding eight points in the frame. At the offensive end of the floor, North Carolina could not be stopped piecing together a 15-3 run.
Defensively, the Tar Heels held Pitt to just 13 points in the period, four of which came from the charity stripe. Across the board, the Tar Heels shot a blistering 57.9% from the floor propelling North Carolina to a 42-27 lead going into halftime.
The three-ball continued to fly for the Tar Heels, nailing an additional five baskets in the third quarter. Grant and Brooks drained two each from long. North Carolina also loves to share the ball, especially Aarnisalo who tallied three assists in the third period to notch her fourth consecutive contest with five or more assists. Aarnisalo dished one out to Taissa Queiroz just before the buzzer to give North Carolina 63-39 heading into the final period.
In the final ten minutes, Liza Astakhova came off the bench and made an immediate impact, hitting a three-point score and converting an and-one play. Additionally, she added three rebounds to seal off any second-chance Pitt points. North Carolina would earn another ACC victory over Pitt, 78-50.
Carolina hits the road for its final away game of the season, heading to Virginia on Thursday. Tipoff from Charlottesville against the Cavaliers is set for 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network Extra.
