Women’s Basketball Prevails In Overtime Against Syracuse, 77-71

Sunday, January 25

Chapel Hill, N.C.

NOON

North Carolina

17-5,6-3ACC

Syracuse

16-4,6-3ACC

OT 1

Syracuse

North Carolina

Women’s Basketball Prevails In Overtime Against Syracuse, 77-71

January 25, 2026 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Back in Carmichael following a two-game road stretch, North Carolina women's basketball pulled away in overtime to secure an overtime win against a dominant Syracuse interior, 77-71, on a snowy Sunday afternoon.

In the back-and-forth battle between North Carolina (17-5, 6-3 ACC) and Syracuse (16-4, 6-3 ACC), the Tar Heels won the defensive battle in the final five minutes of overtime play, allowing only one field goal. In its first overtime win of the season, Carolina now owns three straight wins over Syracuse.

Nyla Harris, Lanie Grant, Reniya Kelly, and Indya Nivar each finished with double figures, pacing North Carolina in a balanced offensive effort. Harris finished with a season high of 21 points. Grant was explosive from deep, knocking down five of seven 3-point attempts for a career high.

On the boards, Ciera Toomey secured double-digit rebounds, complementing Harris's 11-rebound performance. Harris's effort controlled the paint and played a key role in her double-double outing, her first since facing California.

Reniya Kelly's court vision stood out as she set a season-high with five assists, effectively distributing the ball and creating scoring opportunities for teammates.

Out of the gate, Lanie Grant was lighting it up from the floor, converting three of three from behind the arc to spark North Carolina on the offensive end of the floor in the opening frame. Nyla Harris was in on the action early with six points and four rebounds in the first frame to lead the Tar Heels to a 19-15 advantage.

In the second quarter, North Carolina got to work, causing multiple defensive closeouts to stall the Syracuse offense. Throughout the period, North Carolina and Syracuse went back and forth, trading baskets from close to the basket. The Orange found the majority of their success in the lane, with over 60% of their points in the paint in the second frame. Getting back in rhythm, Nyla Brooks found space in the field through contact to convert the three-point play. Nivar continued to make major offensive contributions, grabbing her own offensive rebound to make the two-point play. The Orange continued to fight back to even the score, as Carolina entered the half tied for the second straight game, tied at 34 all.

After the break, North Carolina continued to go to work on the hardwood. The ball movement from the Tar Heels was just too quick for the Orange on the perimeter and continued to knock down triples. Reniya Kelly found Grant multiple times in the corner to convert from deep, hitting a career-high five from long. As a team, the Tar Heels had a total of seven assists in the third period.

The Tar Heels continued to hold the lead through the fourth quarter despite the Orange grabbing multiple offensive rebounds through the final ten minutes. Ciera Toomey started to find a rhythm late, adding five points in the frame, including a shot from behind the arc. In the final minute, Syracuse hit a few from the charity stripe to bring it to 68 all as regulation expired.

Heading to overtime for the third time this year, Carolina came out by rattling off a 7-0 run powered by Harris. The Orange could not find any offensive pattern to respond, falling behind quickly. The Tar Heels fought off multiple Orange three-point attempts to go on to win 77-71.

Carolina enjoys a week-long break, returning to action on Monday, Feb. 2, for a rivalry showdown at NC State. Tip from Reynolds Coliseum is set for 6 p.m. ET, airing on ESPN2.