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

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Women's Basketball Dominates in Win at Florida State
UNC used a 12-0 run in the second quarter to take a 19-point lead at halftime Sunday afternoon at Florida State, and the Tar Heels didn’t look back in the second half on their way to an 82-55 victory. Sunshine State 𝑺𝑾𝑬𝑷𝑻.@WellsFargo x #GoHeels pic.twitter.com/gWaSz43yRC — Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) January 18, 2026 Elina Aarnisalo […]
Kelly's Career Night Leads UNC Women's Basketball Past Miami
Junior guard Reniya Kelly scored a career-high 24 points to help UNC overcome a halftime deficit and beat visiting Miami 73-62 at Carmichael Arena Thursday night. CROWN HER 👑 A career-high 24 points for Reniya! pic.twitter.com/8ryipYktI7 — Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) January 16, 2026 Kelly’s outburst came after the junior from Alabama hadn’t reached double […]
UNC Women's Basketball Falters in 2nd Half in Blowout Loss at Notre Dame
Notre Dame outscored UNC 40-23 in the second half to blow open a close game in South Bend Sunday afternoon and beat the Tar Heels 73-50. It’s Carolina’s second straight loss and its largest margin of defeat since the end of the 2023-24 season. UNC had hung tough for much of the first half, trailing […]
UNC Women's Basketball at Notre Dame (2026): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off Time
The Tar Heels will visit Notre Dame this weekend for a marquee ACC matchup. UNC is seeking its second straight win in South Bend after defeating the Irish in 2024. Broadcast Schedule Those hoping to listen on the radio can do so at 97.9 FM and 1360 AM, or by streaming the radio broadcast on chapelboro.com. 97.9 The […]
Stanford Overcomes Late Deficit, Defeats UNC Women's Basketball in Overtime
Stanford scored the final four points of regulation and then outscored UNC 12-6 in overtime to beat the Tar Heels 77-71 at Carmichael Arena Sunday. It’s UNC’s second home overtime loss of the season. Carolina had held the lead since using a 9-0 run in the second quarter to take a 30-23 advantage. The Tar […]
UNC Women's Basketball vs. Stanford (2026): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off Time
UNC will look to extend its winning streak to five games when it hosts Stanford at Carmichael Arena Sunday afternoon. It will be the first visit the Cardinal have made to Chapel Hill as an ACC foe. If you aren’t attending the game in person, here’s how you can follow along at home: Broadcast Schedule […]
UNC Women's Basketball Pulls Away in 2nd Half to Beat Cal
UNC rang in the New Year by outscoring Cal 39-21 in the second half to beat the Bears 71-55 at Carmichael Arena Thursday afternoon. Rang in the New Year on Top! 🎉@WellsFargo x #GoHeels pic.twitter.com/uarQft6Opf — Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) January 1, 2026 The Tar Heels led 9-0 inside the first three minutes, but Cal […]
UNC Women's Basketball Uses Huge Runs to Crush Boston College
UNC used runs of 18-0 and 26-0 to soar past Boston College 90-39 Monday night in its return from the holiday break. The win is Carolina’s first in ACC play this season. 𝗦𝗢𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗗 to an ACC Road Win!@WellsFargo x #GoHeels pic.twitter.com/TMRkCfdpx7 — Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) December 30, 2025 The 18-0 run came after the […]
UNC Women's Basketball Rolls Past Charleston Southern in Non-Conference Finale
Carolina led by 25 points at halftime and cruised from there to a 93-74 win against Charleston Southern at Carmichael Arena Sunday afternoon. It was UNC’s final non-conference game of the regular season. Wrapped up non-conference play with a 𝘿𝙐𝘽 🎁@WellsFargo x #GoHeels pic.twitter.com/GLT8cDkXr1 — Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) December 21, 2025 The Tar Heel […]
UNC Women's Basketball Dominates UNC-Wilmington in 50-Point Win
UNC bounced back from its overtime loss to Louisville last weekend in a big way Wednesday night, beating UNC-Wilmington 84-34 at Carmichael Arena. That's a Carolina 𝑾𝑰𝑵!@WellsFargo x #GoHeels pic.twitter.com/MBSQA4SVcl — Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) December 18, 2025 Carolina’s defense limited the Seahawks all night, forcing UNC-Wilmington into more turnovers (22) than made shots (14) […]
›