University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
#22 Louisville
No. 12 Women's Basketball Opens ACC Action At Home Vs. No. 22 Louisville
December 13, 2025 | Women's Basketball
NO. 12/11 NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS (9-2, 0-0 ACC)
Head Coach: Courtney Banghart (Dartmouth, 2000)
Record at North Carolina: 134-66 (7th season)
Career Record: 388-169 (19th season)
NO. 22/20 LOUISVILLE CARDINALS (9-3, 1-0 ACC)
Head Coach: Jeff Walz (Northern Kentucky, 1995)
Record at Louisville: 495-149 (19th season)
Career Record: Same
TIPPING OFF
• ACC action has arrived, as Carolina is set to tip off conference play against No. 22 Louisville from Carmichael Arena on Sunday. The Tar Heels face their third-ranked foe of the season and are on the hunt for their first win over a ranked squad.
• Looking to make it three straight against the Cardinals, the series has remained contentious over the years. In the six years under Courtney Banghart, games against Louisville have been decided by an average of 6.8 points.
• Remaining strong together, the Tar Heels have had five or more players record double-figure outings in six games this season. Carolina has also had six different players lead in scoring this season, proving to boast threats all around the court.
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
Louisville enters Sunday's meeting at 9-3 overall, coming off of a 93-62 victory over Ball State on Wednesday night.
An NCAA Tournament mainstay under head coach Jeff Walz, the Cardinals sit at No. 22 in this week's edition of the AP Poll.
Currently, Louisville is one of the nation's best offensive teams, averaging 82.9 points per game. This ranks No. 1 in the ACC and 18th overall nationally.
The Cardinals also rely off their reserves, averaging 36.1 points per game from its bench to rank fourth nationally.
SERIES HISTORY VS. LOUISVILLE
Despite winning three of the last four meetings, Louisville holds the all-time advantage in the series against Carolina at 9-6.
The Tar Heels have won the last two meetings in Chapel Hill, dating back to 2022.
These meetings are bound to be close, as all games within the Courtney Banghart era have been decided by a margin of 6.8 points per game.
Last season in Louisville, the Tar Heels trailed through the first three quarters and ultimately overcame a 13-point deficit to earn their first win on the Cardinals' home court, 79-75.
LAST TIME OUT
Shaking off a slow first quarter, Carolina took off in the second and third against Boston University to roll to an 82-40 victory.
In a complete team victory, the Tar Heels had five players score in double-figures as Carolina earned its ninth win of the season.
Dominating the Terriers off the glass, Carolina boasted a +20 rebounding margin at 45-25. Ciera Toomey was a force around the rim, swatting a career-high five shots. Her five blocks were the most by any Tar Heel in a game this season.
The victory extended Carolina's home win streak against unranked non-conference opponents to 32 straight.
CAROLINA IN ACC OPENERS
Overall, Carolina is 29-15 all-time in ACC openers. Under Courtney Banghart, the Tar Heels are 3-3.
The Tar Heels are on the hunt to win their first ACC opener since defeating Clemson in Chapel Hill, 82-76.
HOME ACC OPENERS
In UNC's first ACC home game of the season, the Tar Heels boast an overall record of 35-12.
Under Banghart, Carolina is 4-2 in its first ACC home game of the year.
VS. RANKED TEAMS
Under Banghart, the Tar Heels are 22-31 overall against AP Top-25 teams.
Carolina's foes of the season include No. 2 Texas in Austin and No. 3 UCLA in Las Vegas.
Hosting its first-ranked foe of the season in Carmichael, the Tar Heels are 77-75 as a program against ranked squads on their home court.
Under Banghart, Carolina is 12-8 against ranked foes at home and has won its past two straight.
NO SHOTS HERE
Limiting Boston University to a mere 13 made field goals, it marked the fewest allowed in a game by the Tar Heels this season.
Carolina also held the terriers to 16.7% from the field in the fourth quarter, the lowest by any opponent in a game this year.
KEEPING ALL INVOLVED
Already proving to be one of Carolina's best offenses under Courtney Banghart, Carolina's scoring options are plentiful, as eight different Tar Heels have recorded double-figure games.
All of Carolina's wins this season have come when four or more Tar Heels record double-figures in scoring.
Indya Nivar paces this trend, scoring 10 or more points in each game this season.
STEALS ON STEALS ON STEALS
Always having her eye on the ball, Indya Nivar has proven to be one of the most tenacious defenders in the nation.
Nivar currently ranks No. 2 overall nationally with a total of 43 steals and No. 9 with 3.19 steals per game.
The single-season program record at Carolina is 127 steals, set by Linda Matthews in 1979. If Nivar were to break the mark, she would need to average 4.3 steals per game in the remainder of Carolina's 20 regular-season games.
GOING STREAKING
Riding a 32-game winning streak at home against unranked non-conference opponents, Carolina is taking care of business and earning wins.
During this streak, Carolina boasts a margin of victory of 38.5 points in the 32 consecutive wins dating back to 2019.
THRIVING IN PARADISE
Rattling off three wins in three days at the 2025 Cancun Challenge, North Carolina picked up its second straight multi-team event title and its fifth under Banghart.
Indya Nivar took home Cancun Challenge Tournament MVP honors, while Lanie Grant earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
NOTHING BUT NET
In the first edition of the 2025-26 NCAA Women's Basketball NET, North Carolina came in at No. 13 overall.
The Tar Heels have already earned two quad-two wins this season, defeating No. 41 Fairfield and No. 46 South Dakota State.
CAN'T STOP HER
Lately, opponents can't stop Indya Nivar from scoring or scoring on her. In Cancun, Nivar stuffed the stat sheet and averaged 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.7 steals, and 6.0 assists per game while shooting 56.3% fromthe floor.
Nivar is the first player in the Banghart era to snag four or more steals in three straight games.
Her seven assists against Kansas State were the most by any Tar Heel in a single-game this season and set a new career-high for the senior.
Her play in Cancun earned her ACC Player of the Week honors for the first time in her career. Reniya Kelly joins her as the only two active Tar Heels to earn the distinction.
THREES ON THREES ON THREES
When Carolina shoots from beyond the arc, there's a high chance it's going in. Against Kansas State, the Tar Heels knocked down 14 made triples.
The mark tied the program record, which had been previously set 11 times. Knocking down 14 triples against the Wildcats marked the third time under Banghart in which Carolina reached the threshold.
Carolina's performance against Kansas State from deep also set a new standard. With four straight games with 10 or more triples, it's the first time in available program records that Carolina has achieved the feat.
This season, Carolina has already knocked down 10 plus triples in five games. Carolina is already on track to best last season's mark of eight games with double-figure triples.
SHARING IS CARING
There's no I in team, and the Tar Heels are certainly proving so.
Against Kansas State, Carolina matched its season high with 21 helpers.
Indya Nivar dished out a career-high seven dimes, the most by any Tar Heel this season.
HISTORY - WRITTEN
In a historic performance, Indya Nivar's triple-double of 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 steals marked the second triple-double in the rich history of Carolina women's basketball.
Nivar joins former teammate Alyssa Ustby as the only two Tar Heels to achieve the feat.
Her 10 steals also etched her name again in the Carolina record books, matching the program single-game record set by Pam Leake in 1995. Nivar is one of four players nationally this year to snag double-figure steals in a game.
Nivar is the second ACC player to record a triple-double this season, and the 50th in the history of the conference.
By recording a triple-double with steals, Nivar is the fourth to accomplish the feat in the history of the league.
RUNNING DEEP
Depth is a huge factor for the Tar Heels this season, as they currently average 30.6 points per game from their reserves. Carolina's bench scoring ranks No. 19 nationally and third overall in the ACC.
Coming off the bench, Nyla Brooks leads the reserves with 10.1 points per game.
RAINING THREES
The three-ball is flying for the Tar Heels, as Carolina knocked down 10 or more against UNCG, South Dakota State, and Columbia.
It's the first time in the Banghart era that Carolina has achieved the feat.
Nyla Brooks led the charge, shooting 15-of-27 from deep during the stretch.
SHE'S JUST A FRESHMAN
With the confidence Nyla Brooks brings to the court, she has already asserted herself as one of the nation's top freshmen.
Posting a performance of perfection against UNCG, Brooks scored a career-high 18 points while shooting 7-of-7 from the field and 3-of-3 from beyond the arc.
Brooks' outing vs. the Spartans propelled her to earn her first ACC Freshman of the Week honors on Nov. 24. She's the first freshman to pick up the honor for Carolina since the 2023 season. Overall, Carolina leads the ACC with 84 Freshmen of the Week selections.
Her scoring has remained consistent, as she's the first freshman Tar Heel to score in double figures in five of her first six games since Jocelyn Jones and Janelle Bailey both did so in 2017.
CT'S COMING
The development of Ciera Toomey has been undeniable, as the redshirt-sophomore's work in the offseason is now shining.
Posting a career-high 19 points against UNCG, Toomey also dished out a career-best four assists.
Toomey's presence in the paint is assisting Carolina to post an average of 40.7 points per game in the paint. The Tar Heels have posted 50+ point games in the paint twice this season.
RIGHT ON TARGET
The shots were falling against UNCG, as Carolina ended up shooting 39-of-59 from the field for a percentage of 66.1%.
This mark ranked No. 2 in a single-game field goal percentage at UNC and holds the record in the Banghart era.
The mark is the second highest field goal percentage by an ACC team this season.
WINNING IS A TRADITION
Throughout the history of North Carolina women's basketball, it has boasted 30 20-win seasons.
A win over South Dakota State gave Carolina its 1,100 program victory. The Tar Heels became the 17th Division I women's program to reach the mark and the third in the ACC.
DEFENSE ON LOCK
Holding yet another opponent under 50 points in keeping South Dakota State to 48 points, Carolina has now held 46 opponents under 50 in the Banghart era.
So far this year, Carolina has held five of its 11 opponents under 50 points. Last season, UNC held 11 opponents under the mark.
BROOKS LOVES THE DEEP BALL
Making a strong impact during her freshman campaign, Nyla Brooks is proving her prowess from beyond the arc.
She currently leads the Tar Heels with 23 made triples and leads the ACC among freshmen with an average of 2.09 per game.
AN EMERGING LEADER
In her final season in Carolina Blue, Indya Nivar is making it count as she has posted double-digits in each outing this year.
The Apex, N.C., native is currently riding a career-long streak of 11 consecutive games in double-figure scoring.
She currently leads Carolina with an average of 12.6 points per game.
Not only is Nivar showing her leadership on the offensive end, but she is also shining on defense. Her 3.91 steals per game rank second in the ACC, and her 42 total rank second nationally.
LET IT FLY
The three-ball has been good to the Tar Heels this season, as Carolina has knocked down 85 triples to date.
In the Courtney Banghart era, it's the most threes drained in the first 11 games of a season.
Last year, the Tar Heels set a new program record with a total of 269 made threes in 2024-25.
LOCKDOWN FROM DEEP
While the Tar Heels were knocking down triples against N.C. A&T, the Aggies went 0-for-6 from beyond the arc.
Carolina made 12 more three-pointers than its opponent, the largest disparity since 2016.
NO I IN TEAM
In six of its 11 games, Carolina has posed a balance scoring attack with at least five Tar Heels scoring 10+ points.
Eight different Tar Heels have tallied double-figure outings so far this season, with Indya Nivar scoring 10 or more points in every game.
MAKIN' 'EM PAY
Forcing an average of 20.2 turnovers per game to rank No. 4 among ACC teams, the Tar Heels are making the most with their defense.
The Tar Heels are currently averaging 23.5 points per game off their opponents' miscues and have earned 20 or more in eight out of 11 games.
Carolina cashed in a season-high 40 points off turnovers against UNCG.
ROCKIN' AND ROLLIN'
The offense wasted no time getting going against NC Central, with Carolina scoring 90 points for the sixth time in a season opener under Banghart.
The 48-point margin of victory was also the second-best in a season opener under Banghart.
Carolina is now 19-0 under Banghart when scoring 90 or more points.
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
With plenty of noise surrounding Nyla Brooks, the true freshman sure delivered against NC Central. The Waldorf, Md., product led all scorers with 15 points, while shooting 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.
Brooks became the first freshman to lead Carolina in scoring in its opening game since Deja Kelly scored 19 points against Radford in 2020.
Following up her opening day performance with 10 points against Elon, Brooks continues the streak by Kelly set in 2020.
DOMINATE THE GLASS
The glass was sure kept clean against the Eagles, with the Tar Heels outrebounding NC Central by a margin of +28, with UNC grabbing 48 rebounds.
The feat marked the second-best margin by any ACC squad on the opening day of college basketball and No. 15 overall nationally.
Ciera Toomey and Nyla Harris led this charge, with each recording a double-double against NC Central. Toomey tallied a career-high 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Harris added 12 points and 10 boards.
It was the 11th game under Banghart in which two players posted double-doubles.
SHOW UP AND SHOW OUT
Opening the season on a loud note, Carolina packed Carmichael on its Field Trip Day with a total of 6,336 in attendance.
The number broke the attendance record in Carmichael during the Banghart era.
NO PLACE LIKE CARMICHAEL
In the only home in the history of Carolina women's basketball, the Tar Heels have traditionally held home-court advantage. Carolina is 39-2 under Banghart in home non-conference games and has won 32 straight games against unranked non-conference teams at home.
NEW LOOK, SAME MISSION
Back for year seven with Courtney Banghart at the helm, the Tar Heels bring back eight returners from last season's Sweet 16 squad.
Despite losing mainstays in Lexi Donarski, Maria Gakdeng, and Alyssa Ustby to graduation, Carolina reloaded with the addition of two transfers and four freshmen.
LOOKING BETTER IN CAROLINA BLUE
Elina Aarnisalo spent one season at UCLA and made a run to the Final Four with the Bruins, before making her way to Chapel Hill. An elite distributor, Aarnisalo averaged 3.4 assists per game to rank 15th among all Division I freshmen last season.
No stranger to the ACC, Nyla Harris chose to spend her final season in Carolina Blue after three seasons at Louisville.
As one of the most efficient shooters in the league the past two years, Harris led the Cardinals from the field as a sophomore and junior. Overall, Harris boasts a 54.2% career field goal percentage.
Regarded as one of the nation's top forwards, Harris also found herself on the Cheryl Miller Award Preseason Top-20 watch list.
THE FIERCE FRESHMEN
Youth is abundant for the Tar Heels, as Carolina brought in a highly rated freshman class with one international star and three ranked in ESPN's top 100 for the Class of 2025.
Following two years on the professional circuit in Russia, Moscow native, Liza Astakhova is ready to take her European game to the United States. Joining the Tar Heels in August, Astakhova looks to provide depth after appearing in 39 games last year with the Russia-PBL.
The fifth McDonald's All-American recruited by Banghart, Nyla Brooks is poised to make some noise in her debut campaign.
Coming out of Bishop Ireton High School, Brooks earned a multitude of honors throughout her prep career. The guard came in as the No. 13 overall prospect in the Class of 2025 by ESPN and picked up honors as the Gatorade Virginia Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
Most recently, Brooks was touted as one of ESPN's Most Impactful Freshmen and was named the first Tar Heel to the ACC Preseason All-Freshman team since 2021.
After missing her senior season of high school due to injury, Taliyah Henderson is ready to make her return to the court. A multi-sport athlete, Henderson proved to be a star on the hardwood and the track at Salpointe Catholic High School in Vail, Arizona.
The guard also boasts international experience, representing Canada at the FIBA U18 Women's Americup in 2024.
She averaged 9.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, as Canada went on to earn a silver medal at the event.
Graduating early from high school to spend this past spring with Carolina, Taissa Queiroz is prepped to make her debut in Carolina Blue. Spending her high school years at Cardinal Newman in the Bay Area, Queiroz has generated plenty of buzz through representing her home country of Brazil.
This past offseason, Queiroz played with Brazil in two exhibitions against WNBA squads in the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever. She also joined Brazil at the 2025 GloblJam this past summer in Canada, earning a bronze medal.
A TRUE POINT DAWG
The acclaim for Reniya Kelly continues to grow, just like her game as the guard was named Preseason All-ACC by the league's media and coaches.
All-ACC Second Team as a sophomore, Kelly preps for her junior season after lighting it up in her second year of collegiate action. Posting eye-popping numbers in ACC play, Kelly averaged 11.4 points per game to rank second for the Tar Heels.
Proving her prowess from beyond the arc, Kelly knocked down 40 triples at a rate of 41.2%. Her field goal percentage from deep ranks No. 4 in a single season at Carolina.
With 54 career starts under her belt, Kelly also picked up honors as one of the nation's top point guards, earning a spot on the Nancy Lieberman Award Preseason Top-20 Watch list and the Naismith Player of the Year Preseason Watch List.
LANIE GRANT ON THE RISE
Playing in all 37 games during her freshman campaign last season, Lanie Grant is poised for a sophomore jump after earning ACC All-Freshman Team accolades.
Scoring double-figures in 14 games, Grant posted a career-best 19 points twice. She also led Carolina in scoring in four games, including twice in ACC action.
Grant still remains one of the youngest Tar Heels, skipping her senior season of high school to reclassify and join UNC a year early.
ACC ACCLAIM
In the league's preseason polls, Carolina was selected to finish third by the ACC's coaches and media.
The Tar Heels highest finish in the Banghart era came in 2022, where UNC boasted a 13-5 record to tie for third in the conference.
Last season, Carolina outperformed its expectations from the preseason poll. After being projected to finish 6th, Carolina went 13-5 in league play to tie for 4th.
PRESEASON POLLS
With winning an expectation in Chapel Hill, the sentiment is reiterated nationally with the Tar Heels ranked No. 11 overall in both the AP and the USA Today/Coaches Preseason Polls.
The mark in the AP Poll is the highest start to a season for Carolina since 2009, where UNC began the season ranked No. 4.
In the USA Today/Coaches Poll, it matched Carolina's best start in the poll since the 2012-13 season.
TAR HEELS AND NCAA TOURNAMENT FOES
Prepping for March all throughout November and December, Carolina is set to take on eight NCAA Tournament squads between its exhibition and the regular season during its non-conference slate.
- South Carolina - 2025 Final Four
- UCLA - 2025 Final Four
- Fairfield - 2025 First Round
- UNCG - 2025 First Round
- South Dakota State - 2025 Second Round
- Kansas State - 2025 Sweet 16
- Columbia - 2025 First Round
- Texas - 2025 Final Four
HOME SWEET HOME
The confines of Carmichael Arena have been friendly to the Tar Heels throughout non-conference action, as Carolina has won 32 straight games at home against unranked non-conference teams.
This streak dates back to the 2019 season.
MILESTONE WATCH
• Nyla Harris -
- 896 career points
- 104 away from 1,000.
- 592 career rebounds
- eight away from 600.
• Indya Nivar -
- 174 career steals
- 26 away from 200.
- 190 career assists
- 10 away from 200.
WHAT'S NEXT
Carolina remains at home, hosting in-state foe in UNCW on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Tip against the Seahawks is slated for 8 p.m. ET, airing on ACC Network.
