University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Syracuse
Tar Heels Return Home, Challenges Syracuse Sunday
January 24, 2026 | Women's Basketball
The weather will continue to be monitored in coordination with the ACC, and updates will be provided as needed via email to all ticket holders and from @UNCWBB and @GoHeels social media accounts. Fans are encouraged to be cautious and safe when deciding to attend the game.
RV/No. 21 NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS (16-5, 5-3 ACC)
Head Coach: Courtney Banghart (Dartmouth, 2000)
Record at North Carolina: 141-69 (7th season)
Career Record: 395-172 (19th season)
SYRACUSE ORANGE (16-3, 6-2 ACC)
Head Coach: Felisha Legette-Jack (Syracuse, 1989)
Record at Syracuse: 72-42 (4th season)
Career Record: 415-321 (24th season)
GAME COVERAGE
TV: ACC Network Extra
Radio: Tar Heel Sports Network, WCHL 97.9/1360
• Matt Krause
TIPPING OFF
• Following a four-game stretch with three games on the road, Carolina returns to the state of North Carolina for six straight games, starting with Syracuse at Carmichael Arena on Sunday.
• The Tar Heels wrapped the first half of Atlantic Coast Conference action on the road, with a 54-46 gritty victory at Georgia Tech on Thursday. In its last 14 road games, the Tar Heels are 12-2 overall.
• Reniya Kelly has lit it up in ACC action, posting an average of 10.4 points per game. The junior is currently riding a three-game double-figure scoring streak.
• Ciera Toomey was all over the glass against Georgia Tech, collecting a career-high 15 rebounds. Toomey has posted three double-digit rebounding games, all this season.
SCOUTING THE ORANGE
Riding a three-game winning streak heading into Sunday, Syracuse is 16-3 overall on the year and 6-2 in ACC action.
The Orange are one of the nation's strongest defensive teams, averaging 6.0 blocks per game to sit third overall in the league and 8th in the country.
Taking advantage of the offensive glass, Syracuse is snagging 17.7 o-boards per game to lead the league and rank No. 4 in the nation.
The Orange is also posting double-figure steals per game, with an average of 11.8.
Uche Izoje has made an immediate impact as a freshman, with 2.95 blocks per game to rank fifth in the country. She is snagging 3.7 offensive rebounds per game to lead the league.
Leading the Orange offensively, Laila Phelia is averaging 14.2 points per game.
SERIES HISTORY VS. SYRACUSE
Despite Syracuse holding the all-time series advantage, Carolina has found success in Chapel Hill, boasting a 6-3 all-time record.
The Tar Heels have won the last three games in Carmichael, dating back to the 2020-21 season.
Under Banghart's tenure, Carolina is 4-3 overall against Syracuse.
LAST TIME OUT
Overcoming a shooting slump, Carolina prevailed on the road to earn a 54-46 victory over Georgia Tech on Thursday night.
Tied at the half, Carolina rattled off a 13-point third quarter to create separation.
Dominating the Yellow Jackets on the glass, Ciera Toomey collected a career-high 15 rebounds.
The duo of Lanie Grant and Reniya Kelly led the Tar Heels in scoring with 11 points each.
DOMINATE THE GLASS
Not only did the Tar Heels grab a season-high 55 rebounds at Georgia Tech, but they also bullied the Yellow Jackets off the glass with a rebounding margin of +21.
The margin was Carolina's largest against an ACC foe since +26 versus Syracuse during the 2021-22 season.
Dominant on the glass, Carolina has outrebounded five opponents by 20-plus boards, tied for the most in a season since 2021-22.
Ciera Toomey was dominant in Atlanta, collecting a career-high 15 rebounds. Her rebounds also marked the most in a single game by a Tar Heel this year.
Under Banghart, Carolina has tallied 50-plus rebounds against ACC foes in 12 total games.
All five of Carolina's ACC wins have come when outrebounding its opponent.
DOMINATE THE GLASS
Not only did the Tar Heels grab a season-high 55 rebounds at Georgia Tech, they also bullied the Yellow Jackets off the glass with a rebounding margin of +21.
The margin was Carolina's largest against an ACC foe since +26 versus Syracuse during the 2021-22 season.
Dominant on the glass, Carolina has outrebounded five opponents by 20 plus boards, tied for the most in a season since 2021-22.
Ciera Toomey was dominant in Atlanta, collecting a career-high 15 rebounds. Her rebounds also marked the most in a single-game by a Tar Heel this year.
Under Banghart, Carolina has tallied 50 plus rebounds against ACC foes in 12 total games.
All five of Carolina's ACC wins have come when outrebounding its opponent.
GRIT OVER QUIT
Points came at a premium in Carolina's victory at Georgia Tech, with the Tar Heels grinding away to earn the 54-46 victory.
Under Banghart, the Tar Heels have won seven games when scoring under 55 points.
SECOND CHANCE - TAKEN
Taking advantage, Carolina tallied a season-high 20 second chance points in the victory at Florida State.
It also marked the most in a game since facing off against Florida State last season in the 2025 ACC Tournament.
The Tar Heels have tallied 15+ second chance points in the last three games for the longest stretch since December of 2023.
SHOOTERS SHOOT
Feeling it from three as a team, the Tar Heels knocked down an 13 three-pointers at Florida State for their most in an ACC game this season.
Lanie Grant was hot from beyond the arc, matching her career-best with four made triples.
Overall, seven Tar Heels knocked down a shot from deep in the most triples drained against an ACC foe since at Pitt last season.
The 36 attempts from deep also marked the most attempts in an ACC games in stats available dating back to 2002-03.
MAKE YOU MISS
In holding Florida State to a mere 28.6% from the field, the Tar Heels have now held two ACC opponents this season to under 30% from the field. Carolina limited Boston College to 21.3% from the field in its victory in Chestnut Hill.
It's the first time since the 2022-23 season that Carolina has held two ACC opponents under the 30% threshold.
This season, Carolina has held six opponents to under 30% from the field in a game. In conference play, Carolina ranks No. 1 among ACC teams in holding its foes to 36.1% shooting.
When holding opponents under 40% from the field this season, Carolina is undefeated at 11-0.
HERE COMES RK
With the third 20-point outing of her career, Reniya Kelly was unstoppable against Miami. The junior came out strong with nine points in the first quarter en route to a career-high 24 points.
Kelly is the first Tar Heel to eclipse the 20-point threshold in a game this season.
Hot from all over the floor, Kelly shot 9-of-14 from the field and knocked down four of five triples.
In ACC action, Kelly is currently one of two Tar Heels averaging double-figures in scoring with 10.3 points per game.
Kelly is currently riding a three game double-figure scoring streak, the second time in her career in which she has done so in league play.
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. 11 overall nationally with a total of 64 steals and No. 22 with 3.05 steals per game. She's snagged three or more steals in 12 total games this season.
The senior is currently on track to become the first Tar Heel to snag 70 steals in a season since 2012-13.
KEEPING IT 100
Despite its past struggles from the charity stripe this season, Carolina locked in against Miami and Florida State to knock down all 10 and then nine of its free-throw attempts.
Carolina followed up its performance against the Hurricanes, shooting 9-of-9 from the charity stripe in Tallahassee. The Tar Heels have now shot perfectly from the line in five games under Banghart.
Both games set a new mark as the most attempted without a miss in a game during the Banghart era, marking the only such occurrence dating back to the 2002-03 season. Carolina has never shot 100% from the line in two straight games in a season, going back to 2002-03.
ARTISTS IN THE PAINT
The tandem of Nyla Harris and Ciera Toomey has proven to be dangerous on the inside, assisting the Tar Heels to an average of 37.6 points per game in the paint.
As a team, the Tar Heels have posted 50+ point games in the paint four times this season.
BATTLING ON THE BOARDS
The rebounding battle is key to Carolina's success this season, as the Tar Heels are 15-1 when winning the boards.
In Carolina's five ACC wins, the Tar Heels have outrebounded their opponents by an average of +11.2 boards per game.
Overall, Carolina owns a rebounding margin of +6.9 this season.
CLICKING IN CONFERENCE
Scoring in double figures in the first four conference games, Nyla Harris rattled off a career-long streak in league action.
Harris was the first Tar Heel to start off league action riding a five-game double-digit scoring streak since Alyssa Ustby did so at the start of 2022-23 ACC play.
The senior forward has posted double-figures in five out of eight conference games.
WELCOMING NOELLE TO THE FOLD
After graduating early from Xavier College Preparatory in Phoenix, Ariz., Noelle Bofia has joined the Tar Heels for the Spring of 2026.
A four-star recruit and rated as the No. 52 overall prospect in the Class of 2026 by ESPN, Bofia is set to redshirt and practice with the Tar Heels this semester.
B A L A N C E
In any given game, any Tar Heel has the chance to shine with four currently averaging double-figures in scoring for Carolina.
So far this season, nine different Tar Heels have led in scoring in a game, with nine overall posting double-figure outings.
Indya Nivar and Nyla Brooks have led Carolina in scoring in five games apiece this season.
SNEAK ATTACK
It's no secret that the Tar Heels love to defend, as UNC currently ranks No. 4 among ACC teams with an average of 10.1 steals per game.
Against Boston College, California, and Stanford, Carolina posted double-figure steals with an ACC game-high 12 steals against California. Nyla Harris led the Tar Heels with a career-high five swipes against the Bears.
SCORING EARLY, SCORING OFTEN
With all 14 Tar Heels hitting the court at Boston College, Carolina posted an eye-popping 90 points in its win over the Eagles.
It marked the most points scored in an ACC game for UNC since 92 against Syracuse on Dec. 17, 2020. The 90 points scored in Chestnut Hill were also the most in an ACC road victory since dropping 92 at Boston College in February of 2009.
Dating back to the 2000 season, North Carolina has scored 90-plus points in an ACC game 30 times.
The 51-point victory was also Carolina's best to date of the season and its best in any ACC game in program history.
PASS THE BALL
Dishing out the ball at a high rate, 24 assists at Boston College marked a new season-high for UNC. Carolina has dished out 20 or more assists in six games this season.
Lanie Grant dropped a new career-high with five assists at Boston College, while overall 11 Tar Heels dished out an assist in the road victory.
Overall, Carolina has dished out 15+ assists in 14 games this year. Indya Nivar currently paces Carolina with 3.6 dimes per game and has dished out five or more helpers in seven games.
COUGH IT UP
Forcing 20 or more turnovers in 10 games this season, Carolina is averaging 18.67 per game from its opponents to rank fourth overall in the ACC.
Last year, Carolina forced 13 teams to turnover the ball 20 or more times.
Currently, Carolina is averaging 19.95 points per game off opponent miscues.
LOCK DOWN DEFENSE
Aggressive defense is a focal point under head coach Courtney Banghart, and her teams have proven so.
In year seven of the Banghart era, the Tar Heels have held 51 opponents under the 50-point threshold. This season, UNC has kept nine opponents under the mark.
The Tar Heels are 49-2 under Banghart when holding opponents to fewer than 50 points.
By limiting Boston College to 39 points, Carolina has now held 15 teams under Banghart below the 40-point threshold.
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 earned three quad-two wins this season, defeating No. 44 South Dakota State, No. 46 Miami and No. 52 Fairfield.
The Tar Heels sit at No. 20 in the NET prior to Sunday's game against Syracuse.
CAN'T STOP HER
In Cancun, Indya 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% from the 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 knocked down 10-plus triples in nine games. Carolina has already bested last season's mark of eight games with double-figure triples.
One of the best three-point shooting teams nationally, Carolina ranks third in the ACC from beyond the arc at a 34.2% clip and ranks third with 8.1 triples per game.
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 1985.
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 28.1 points per game from their reserves. Carolina's bench scoring ranks No. 16 nationally and second overall in the ACC.
Coming off the bench, Nyla Brooks leads the reserves with 8.3 points per game.
LET IT FLY
The three-ball has been good to the Tar Heels this season, as Carolina has knocked down 170 triples to date.
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.
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 20-0 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 continued the streak that Kelly set in 2020.
MILESTONE WATCH
- 395 career wins
- Five away from 400 - would be one of 48 active head coaches with 400 wins.
• Nyla Harris -
- 98 career steals.
- Two away from 100.
• Reniya Kelly -
- 140 career steals.
- 10 away from 150.
• Indya Nivar -
- 195 career steals.
- Five away from 200.
WHAT'S NEXT
Carolina enjoys a week stretch between games before a rivalry matchup at NC State on Monday, Feb. 2 at Reynolds Coliseum.
Tip against the Wolfpack is slated for 6 p.m. ET, airing on ESPN2.
