Three-Ball Propels Tar Heels Over Kansas State In Cancun

Friday, November 28

Cancun, Mexico

11 AM

North Carolina

7-1,0-0ACC

Kansas State

5-4,0-0Big 12

Kansas St.

North Carolina

Photo by: Reece Bachta Photography

November 28, 2025 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

CANCUN, MEXICO – Taking on Big 12 mainstay in Kansas State for its second game at the Cancun Challenge, No. 12 North Carolina fired off 14 triples to earn the 85-73 win. The 14 threes drained by the Tar Heels matched the program single-game record and did so for the third time under Courtney Banghart.

Coming together as a team, North Carolina (7-1), withstood a challenge from Kansas State (5-4) to earn its first win over a Power Four team this season. Scoring a season-high 15 points and matching her career-high with four triples, Lanie Grant paced the Tar Heels on the offensive end.

Taking care of business in the paint for Carolina, Nyla Harris scored a season-high 14 points while going 6-of-7 from the field. Harris and Ciera Toomey led UNC with seven rebounds each. Remaining on a tear, Indya Nivar posted another all-around performance with 14 points, a career-high seven assists and four steals.

Nyla Brooks has proven herself to be dangerous from beyond the arc, knocking down four threes en route to 14 points. The freshman is currently riding a five-game streak scoring in double-figures.
In a back-and-forth opening quarter, Kansas State jumped out to an early lead over the Tar Heels as it relied off the three-ball. Picking up where she left off the day before, Nivar remained hot on both offense and defense to power Carolina to grab its first lead of the game at 17-15. With a 10-0 run to wrap the quarter, UNC snagged a 22-15 lead through one.

Hitting its stride, UNC took off on a 7-0 run to pad its lead over the Wildcats. In a team attack, Carolina dished out 13 assists on 18 made field goals in the first half alone. Getting it done from beyond the arc and in the paint, Carolina went ahead 50-32 at the break.

Working to fend off a pesky Kansas State squad, the Wildcats pulled within 15 points midway through the third until a Brooks three quieted the crowd with another triple. Harris' presence in the paint could be felt, as she reached double-figures for the second straight game. Continuing to drain threes, Carolina extended its hold to 70-51 as 10 minutes remained.

Refusing to go away quietly, Carolina withstood a 6-0 run from Kansas State to start the fourth quarter and maintain its grasp over the Wildcats. Despite a spirited effort from the Wildcats to close a gap, Carolina shut the door on Kansas State to earn the 85-73 win.

Carolina closes out its time in Cancun tomorrow, facing off against Ivy League power Columbia. Tip against the Lions is slated for 1:30 p.m. ET, streaming on FloHoops.