Newcomers Shine as UNC Women’s Basketball Wins Season Opener

UNC jumped out to a big early lead and scored 53 first-half points on its way to an 90-42 win against North Carolina Central at Carmichael Arena Monday.

Five Tar Heels scored in double figures on the day, led by star freshman Nyla Brooks’ 15 points. Brooks shot 6-12 from the floor and 3-6 on three-pointers in 22 minutes off the bench as UNC’s top reserve. Also in double figures were UCLA transfer Elina Aarnisalo (13 points), Indya Nivar (13), Ciera Toomey (13) and Louisville transfer Nyla Harris, who scored 12 points to go with 10 rebounds to record a double-double. Toomey, who started the game alongside Harris, Aarnisalo, Nivar and Reniya Kelly, grabbed 11 boards for her first collegiate double-double. Toomey also blocked a team-high four shots, while Nivar recorded four of UNC’s 10 steals. Aarnisalo’s three assists were the most on the team.

Aarnisalo led the way in a high-scoring first half, making her first five shots from the floor and scoring 11 of her 13 points in the opening 20 minutes, after which Carolina led 53-21. As a team, the Tar Heels shot a red-hot 22-36 (61.1 percent) in the first half and ended the game 36-68 (52.9 percent) from the floor. UNC shot better than 52.9 percent just twice last season.

The strong efforts of Toomey and Harris paid dividends on the glass, as UNC dominated the Eagles with a 48-20 rebounding advantage – and did so without the services of six-foot-five center Blanca Thomas, who did not play. The plus-28 rebounding margin is the Tar Heels’ largest in a single game since December 11, 2022 against Wofford. UNC also held significant advantages in second-chance points (17-3), points in the paint (54-18) and fast-break points (21-0). Defensively, Carolina limited NC Central to a 15-57 (26.3 percent) shooting day.

UNC has now won its opening game in all seven years of head coach Courtney Banghart’s tenure. The Tar Heels will be back in action when they host Elon at Carmichael Arena Thursday night at 7 p.m.

Featured image via UNC Women’s Basketball on Twitter

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