University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
SMU
Women's Basketball Returns To Carmichael Thursday, Hosting SMU
February 11, 2026 | Women's Basketball
No. 21/21 NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS (20-5, 9-3 ACC)
Head Coach: Courtney Banghart (Dartmouth, 2000)
Record at North Carolina: 145-69 (7th season)
Career Record: 399-172 (19th season)
SMU MUSTANGS (8-16, 1-11 ACC)
Head Coach: Adia Barnes (Arizona, 1998)
Record at SMU: 8-16 (1st season)
Career Record: 177-120 (10th season)
GAME COVERAGE
TV: ACC Network
PxP: Sam Gore
Analyst: Angel Gray
Radio: Tar Heel Sports Network, WCHL 97.9/1360
• Matt Krause
TIPPING OFF
• The winning streak remains intact as Carolina Women's Basketball returns to Carmichael on Thursday to host SMU in the second meeting between the schools.
• A win over the Mustangs would match Carolina's best streak in ACC play since the 2022-23 season.
• Popping off for a career-high 21 points at Wake Forest, freshman Nyla Brooks drained five triples for the first 20-point performance of her career. Brooks also grabbed a career-best seven rebounds in the 84-56 victory over the Demon Deacons.
• With its seventh straight win on Sunday, the Tar Heels reached the 20-win mark for the fifth consecutive season to match the longest streak since 2010-15. As a head coach, Courtney Banghart boasts 14 20-win seasons.
SERIES NOTES...
In Chapel Hill: --
In Dallas: UNC leads 1-0
At Neutral Sites: --
Longest UNC Streak: 1 straight (1/16/25-current)
Longest SMU Streak: --
Largest UNC Win: 34 (1/16/25 - in Dallas)
Largest SMU Win: --
Most UNC Points: 64 (1/16/25 - in Dallas)
Most SMU Points: 33 (1/16/25 in Dallas)
Last 10 Meetings: --
SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS
In the first year under Adia Barnes at the helm, SMU sits at 8-16 overall and 1-11 in ACC action.
The Mustangs lone win in conference action came at Pitt in mid-January, as SMU is currently on a five-game losing streak.
Despite the losses, SMU loves to tally up steals as it ranks third among league teams with 10.5 swipes per game.
Starting in 23 out of 24 games for the Mustangs, Zahra King paces SMU with an average of 14.5 points per game and is shooting 42.0% from beyond the arc.
SERIES HISTORY VS. SMU
The two programs meet for the second time on Thursday, in SMU's second season in the ACC.
Carolina took care of business in last season's lone meeting in Dallas, picking up a 64-33 win in Moody Coliseum.
Against Adia Barnes, Courtney Banghart is 1-0 as the two coaches met in the Second Round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament in Tucson. Carolina defeated Arizona 63-45 to advance to the Sweet 16.
LAST TIME OUT
Nyla Brooks erupted off the bench to lead Carolina to its 20th win of the season, toppling Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, 84-56.
The freshman drained five triples en route to a career-high 21 points. Brooks was all over the boards, as she also led the Tar Heels with a career-best seven rebounds.
The other Tar Heel in double-figures, Nyla Harris, rattled off 19 points for her fourth straight game in double-figures.
Stuffing the stat sheet, Indya Nivar proves to be an all-around performer with nine points, eight rebounds and, seven assists.
The 28-point victory over the Demon Deacons was the largest under Courtney Banghart.
NYLA SQUARED
The rookie and the vet combo of Nyla Brooks and Nyla Harris make quite the pair as the two posted a combined 40 points on Sunday in the win at Wake Forest.
This season, the Tar Heels are 8-0 when the freshman and the senior each score in double-figures.
LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, INDYA IS THERE
Always there when you need some help, Indya Nivar is tallying up the assists this season as the senior posted back-to-back games with a career-high tying seven dimes against Clemson and Wake Forest.
Nivar has already bested her previous season-career best with 68 assists as the senior hit 100 assists against the Demon Deacons. She is currently averaging 4.2 helpers per game in ACC action.
Dishing out five or more dimes in 10 games to date this season, Nivar is the first Tar Heel to do so since Alyssa Ustby during the 2023-24 season.
20-WINS SECURED
A win in Winston-Salem on Sunday gave Carolina its 34th 20-win season and its fifth straight.
A fifth consecutive 20-victory season matches Carolina's longest streak since the 2010-11 through the 2014-15 seasons.
THE JOURNEY TO 400
In her 19th season as a head coach, Courtney Banghart is one win away from hitting the 400-win achievement.
When she reaches the threshold, Banghart will be one of 48 active coaches in Division I women's basketball with 400 or more wins.
D-E-F-E-N-S-E, D-E-F-E-N-S-E
Good luck scoring against the Tar Heels, as Carolina has limited three ACC opponents to under 50 points in league action.
During Carolina's seven-game win streak, the Tar Heels have held two opponents under the 50-point mark.
As a team, the Tar Heels rank second in ACC action in limiting their opponents to 59.42 points per game.
Carolina has held both Clemson and Georgia Tech to its ACC low in scoring.
PACK THE PAINT
Finding open shots on the inside has been key in Carolina's success in the recent stretch of conference play in a combined team effort.
Against Clemson, the Tar Heels posted 32 points in the paint for their third-most in an ACC game this year.
Overall, this season, Carolina is averaging 36.32 points per game in the paint overall and 32.1 in ACC action.
DYNAMIC DUO
The pair of Nyla Harris and Lanie Grant has been electrifying throughout Carolina's win streak, with the duo posting a combined 25. 0points per game.
In the stretch, Harris scored a season-high 21 points against Syracuse and is shooting a hot clip of 51.5% from the floor. She's also averaging a smooth 7.6 rebounds per game with two double-doubles in the last four outings.
Grant has been shooting lights out from beyond the arc, draining 18 threes at a clip of 46.2%. Against Syracuse, the sophomore drained a career-high five triples.
THRIVING IN THE THIRD
Coming out of the half, the Tar Heels love to make an impact in the third quarter. Carolina is averaging a quarter-best 20.28 points per game in the frame.
The Tar Heels have earned four come from behind wins this season when trailing at the half and can be attributed to its success in the third quarter.
This season, Carolina is 19-1 overall when leading through three.
STUFF THE STAT SHEET
As Carolina's leading distributor, Indya Nivar has racked up five or more assists in 10 games. The senior has matched her career-best twice with seven assists against Kansas State, Clemson and at Wake Forest.
This season, Nivar has tallied six games with at least five points, five rebounds, and five assists. Throughout her career, she's totaled eight games with the mark.
HITTING A GROOVE
Contributing to Carolina's six-game win streak, its starting lineup has been crucial to success.
Lanie Grant, Nyla Harris, Reniya Kelly, Ciera Toomey and Indya Nivar started each started in the last seven of eight games. Overall, this starting combination is 9-1 this season.
Banghart has utilized four different starting lineups throughout the 2025-26 campaign.
GOING STREAKING
Rattling off seven consecutive wins in conference play, the Tar Heels have hit their stride with the streak of its kind for the second season in a row.
Under Banghart, the Tar Heels have ridden three streaks in conference play with five or more wins, the longest being eight straight against conference opponents during the 2022-23 season.
Posting seven straight ACC wins in back-to-back seasons has not happened for the Tar Heels since the 2007 and 2008 seasons.
FREE BASKETBALL
By knocking off Syracuse in overtime, Carolina has now come away with a win in extra time for the second year in a row.
Under Banghart, the Tar Heels have picked up four wins when extra time is needed.
Luckily, the Tar Heels have not played in a double-overtime contest since December of 2014.
SHOOT YOUR SHOT
The three-ball has clearly been flying at a high rate for the Tar Heels, as Carolina has drained 83 total triples in ACC action to date.
Grant paces the Tar Heels against conference foes with 46 total triples this season. In ACC action, the sophomore is shooting the three-ball at a blistering 43.3% clip.
Last season, Carolina set a new best under Banghart with 120 made threes in ACC play.
MAKE 'EM MISS
Known for an aggressive defensive presence, the Tar Heels rank second among ACC teams in conference play by holding their opponents to 35.6% from the field.
Against ACC foes, the Tar Heels have held seven teams below 40% from the field. Carolina has held six of its last seven opponents below the threshold.
Prior to the win at Wake Forest, Carolina had held six straight opponents to under 40% from the field
In forcing three ACC teams under 30% shooting, Carolina has accomplished the feat for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
On the defensive end, Carolina has limited three teams to under 50 points. Through 12 conference games, the Tar Heels are holding teams to 59.42 points per game to rank second in the league.
1K CLUB
Scoring six points against Georgia Tech, Nyla Harris eclipsed the 1,000 career point threshold in Atlanta.
The senior is averaging 8.3 points per game throughout her career, and 11.4 in her lone season as a Tar Heel. In ACC action, Harris leads the conference from the floor at 58.0%.
Against Syracuse, Harris came alive in the paint to score a career-high 21 points. Her presence was felt on the defensive side, with a season-high 11 rebounds.
This season, Harris boasts four double-doubles with three coming in ACC action.
She is currently riding a five-game streak of scoring in double-figures and has scored 10 plus points in 10 out of 12 conference games.
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.
Eight out of Nine of Carolina's ACC wins have come when outrebounding its opponent. Overall, Carolina is 18-1 this season when outrebounding its opponents.
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. The same proved to be a factor in the 53-44 win over Clemson.
Under Banghart, the Tar Heels have won eight games when scoring under 55 points.
SECOND CHANCE - TAKEN
Taking advantage, Carolina tallied a season-high 21 second-chance points in the victory at Wake Forest.
The Tar Heels tallied 15+ second-chance points in the stretch against Miami, Florida State, and Georgia Tech for the longest stretch since December of 2023.
This season, Carolina is averaging 12.56 second-chance points per outing.
SHOOTERS SHOOT
Feeling it from three as a team, the Tar Heels knocked down 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 then 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 game in stats dating back to 2002-03.
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 was 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 averaging 9.4 points per game.
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. 23 overall nationally with a total of 68 steals and No. 38 with 2.72 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 2020-21.
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 36.32 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 18-1 when winning the boards.
In Carolina's nine ACC wins, the Tar Heels have outrebounded their opponents by an average of +8.8 boards per game.
Overall, Carolina owns a rebounding margin of +6.7 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 nine out of 11 conference games.
Currently, Harris is shooting 58.0% from the floor en route to 13.8 points per outing in ACC 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.
Lanie Grant has paced the Tar Heels as the leading scorer in 10 games.
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 9.7 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 seven 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 16 games this year. Indya Nivar currently paces Carolina with 4.0 dimes per game and has dished out five or more helpers in 10 games.
ALL HANDS IN
As all 14 Tar Heels entered the game against UNCW, Carolina's reserves made a strong impact against the Seahawks.
The Carolina bench posted 49 points, the most in a game this season. Averaging 26.0 points per game from its reserves, Carolina ranks No. 2 in the ACC and No. 27 nationally in bench points per game.
18 out of 20 wins this season have come when the Tar Heel bench outscores their opponent.
COUGH IT UP
Forcing 20 or more turnovers in 10 games this season, Carolina is averaging 17.68 per game from its opponents to rank fifth overall in the ACC.
Last year, Carolina forced 13 teams to turnover the ball 20 or more times.
Currently, Carolina is averaging 18.72 points per game off opponent miscues.
The Tar Heels scored an ACC high 22 points at Boston College due to Eagle turnovers.
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 52 opponents under the 50-point threshold. This season, UNC has kept 10 opponents under the mark.
The Tar Heels are 50-2 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.
BOUNCE BACK
This season, Carolina is 4-1 in its next game when coming off a loss.
Overall, the Tar Heels are 38-25 under Courtney Banghart off a loss and 28-12 since the start of the 2021-22 season.
NO SHOTS HERE
Limiting Boston University and Boston College to a mere 13 made field goals marked the fewest allowed in a game by the Tar Heels this season.
Carolina limited UNCW to only four points in the fourth quarter, the lowest by any opponent in a quarter this year.
In the second quarter at Boston College, UNC held the Eagles to only five points, the fewest by an ACC team this season.
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.
11 out of 20 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 18 out of 25 games this season.
GOING STREAKING
Riding a 34-game home win streak against unranked non-conference opponents, Carolina took care of business and earned wins.
During this streak, Carolina boasts a margin of victory of 38.3 points in the 34 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.
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 10 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 ACC from beyond the arc at a 34.6% clip and also sits third with 8.0 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.
WINNING IS A TRADITION
Throughout the history of North Carolina women's basketball, it has boasted 34 20-win seasons.
A win over South Dakota State gave Carolina its 1,100th program victory. The Tar Heels became the 17th Division I women's program to reach the mark and the third in the ACC.
LET IT FLY
The three-ball has been good to the Tar Heels this season, as Carolina has knocked down 200 triples to date.
Last year, the Tar Heels set a new program record with a total of 269 made threes in 2024-25.
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.
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.
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
MILESTONE WATCH
- 399 career wins
- One away from 400 - would be one of 48 active head coaches with 400 wins.
• Nyla Harris -
- 695 career rebounds.
- Five away from 700.
• Reniya Kelly -
- 146 career assists.
- 4 away from 150.
• Indya Nivar -
- 199 career steals.
- One away from 200.
- 249 career assists
- One away from 250
WHAT'S NEXT
The Tar Heels remain in the Triangle and make the short drive for the first of two Tobacco Road showdowns against Duke.
Carolina takes on the Blue Devils from Cameron Indoor on Sunday, at 1 p.m. ET on ABC.
