No. 11 Women’s Basketball Downed By No. 2 Texas In Austin

Thursday, December 4

Austin, Texas

7 PM

North Carolina

8-2,0-0ACC

#2 Texas

9-0,0-0SEC

North Carolina

Texas

December 4, 2025 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

AUSTIN, TEXAS – Hitting the road for the ACC/SEC Challenge, No. 11 North Carolina struggled to keep pace with the high-powered offense of No. 2 Texas, falling 79-64 from the Moody Center in Austin.

Despite Indya Nivar scoring a career-high 17 points for North Carolina (8-2), Texas (8-0) took advantage in the second and third quarter to create a clear divide.

Nivar led all Tar Heels as she matched her career-best, while Elina Aarnisalo and Ciera Toomey joined her in double-figures. Aarnisalo set a new season-high with 16 points, shooting an efficient 85% from the field. Toomey tallied 10 points while grabbing a Carolina best eight rebounds and rejecting three shots.

Coming out rearing to go in the paint, Carolina earned eight of its first 10 points on the inside. Aarnisalo proved to be in control in the opening frame by going a perfect four-of-four from the field for eight points. Shooting at a blistering clip of 76.9% for its best in an opening quarter this season, Carolina jumped out to a narrow 21-16 advantage through one.

As Texas took off on a 7-0 run to start the second frame, the Tar Heels responded with back-to-back buckets in transition to re-take the lead. Even at 25 all midway through the second quarter, Taliyah Henderson knocked down a triple to energize the UNC bench. As the Tar Heels entered a scoring lull, the Longhorns began to capitalize at the charity stripe. Unable to convert a field goal the final four minutes of the half, UNC went into the break trailing 39-31.

Holding Texas scoreless for two early minutes in the third, Carolina worked to cut into its deficit through Nyla Harris on the inside. Texas pieced together an 8-0 run to go ahead by double-figures for the first time of the night, with four minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Trailing by 17 at the start of the fourth, Carolina struggled to muster enough energy for a comeback. The Longhorn's surge was too much for the Tar Heels to overcome, ultimately falling 79-64 in the ACC/SEC Challenge.

After two weeks on the road, Carolina returns to Chapel Hill to kick off a four-game home stretch before the holidays. The Tar Heels welcome Boston University on Sunday, Dec. 7, hosting the Terriers at noon ET and airing on ACC Network.

Fans are also encouraged to participate in the Carolina Women's Basketball Book Drive. Those who donate a children's book suitable for kids five and younger will receive a free general admission ticket to Sunday's game.