Indya Nivar recorded the second triple-double in the history of the UNC women’s basketball program by scoring 13 points, grabbing 12 rebounds and nabbing 12 steals in an 83-48 win against South Dakota State at the 2025 Cancun Challenge in Mexico Thursday.

Nivar’s steal and rebound totals were both team highs, and her 13 points were just one off Nyla Brooks’ and Elina Aarnisalo’s team-high 14 points apiece. Nivar now joins Alyssa Ustby as the only Tar Heels to record triple-doubles in program history. She is also just the fourth Tar Heel, male or female, to record a triple-double. Jason Capel and Brendan Haywood each recorded triple-doubles for the men’s program (ironically, in the same season).

It was a Nivar steal and layup which capped off a 9-0 run to begin the game for Carolina. The Tar Heels led 16-9 at the end of the first quarter and 41-23 at halftime, with Nivar’s only three-pointer of the game providing the final basket of the half.

In addition to Nivar, Brooks and Aarnisalo, forward Nyla Harris reached double figures with 12 points off the bench. Harris had missed UNC’s previous game, but was no worse for wear – her 12 points came in just nine minutes.

Carolina’s defense limited the Jackrabbits to only 18 made shots and forced 21 total turnovers. No South Dakota State player finished with more than five rebounds.

Thursday’s win improves UNC to 6-1 overall. The result is also the first loss of the season for the Jackrabbits, who entered the game having received the second-most votes of any unranked team in the latest AP Poll. Carolina will return to the court Friday at 11 a.m. when it faces Kansas State in the second game of the Cancun Challenge.

 

Featured image via UNC Women’s Basketball on Twitter

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