University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
14-5,3-3ACC
Miami
11-7,3-4ACC
Career-High Night From Kelly Lifts WBB Over Miami
January 15, 2026 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Locked in a tight contest at halftime, North Carolina women's basketball broke the game open with a 24-point third quarter on the way to a 73-62 win over Miami at Carmichael Arena on Thursday night.
North Carolina's (13-5, 2-3 ACC) high-scoring second half performance secured the fourth straight win over southern foe Miami (11-6, 3-3 ACC) as Reniya Kelly posted a career-high 24 points.
Shooting a blistering 64% from the field, Reniya Kelly shot lights out shooting nine-of-14 from the field, tied her season high assists with six grabs, and added a steal to lead the Tar Heel effort. From mid-range jumpers to 3-pointers, Kelly found success at every level, and Miami had no way to contain her.
Taissa Queiroz joined Kelly in breaking personal records, posting a career high ten points and tied her season-high rebound tally with six. Teaming up with the other double-digit scorers was Indya Nivar with a steady 13 points, all of which came in the second half push from the Tar Heels.
Drawing contact on the floor, North Carolina went a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line, the most without a miss in the Banghart era and the highest total since at least the 2002-2003 season.
Out of the gate Kelly led North Carolina with shots from all types of range, hitting her pull up shot from mid-range multiple times. Kelly went on to tie her season high career points just in the first ten minutes with nine in the opening quarter. A number of Tar Heels contributed to the defensive efforts, swiping four balls early, converting the miscues to five points, propelling North Carolina to a 15-13 lead after one.
At the start of the second frame Nivar was creating plays for teammate Queiroz both down low and from cross-court. Queiroz continued to light up on the floor grabbing three rebounds and eight points, shooting 100%, to aid the Tar Heels in the second. Miami kept it close going five-for-seven from the floor in the midst of the quarter. Kelly continued to go to work on the hardwood posting an additional seven points, including a triple. The Hurricanes found success from deep just before the half to send Miami ahead at the half, 34-32.
Following intermission the Tar Heel defense got back to work forcing long Hurricane possessions and limiting their strong perimeter shooting. Sparking the North Carolina offense, Nivar took it baseline to baseline to start a strong offensive series for the Tar Heels. Playing with pace and utilizing quick passes, Lanie Grant was found open from deep and drained it, her eighth consecutive game with a made three point shot. North Carolina continued to hold a small lead throughout the third, despite a scoring drought. In the final minutes of the third period Kelly hit her fourth made three point shot to extend the Tar Heel lead to ten.
Starting the fourth frame with a 56-46 lead, Miami responded with a quick shot from behind the arc to cut into the Tar Heel advantage. Down low on both ends, play was scrappy with both teams grabbing offensive boards in attempts for second chance points. In the determined Tar Heel effort, Nyla Brooks found an open Elina Aarnisalo from long to fight back. Miami kept up its offensive pace, not letting North Carolina get away easily. Ciera Toomey, Nyla Harris, and Nivar all chipped in during the final ten minutes to push North Carolina to a 73-62 victory.
The Tar Heels will head back out on the road, taking a trip to the sunshine state on Sunday to face off against Florida State. Tipoff against the Seminoles from Donald L. Tucker Center is set for 2 p.m. ET, airing nationally on The CW Network.
