Carolina Storms Back To Down Virginia Tech On The Road In OT

Thursday, February 19

Blacksburg, Va.

6 PM

North Carolina

22-6,11-4ACC

Virginia Tech

20-8,10-6ACC

OT 1

North Carolina

Virginia Tech

February 19, 2026 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Despite a slow start in the first half, No. 22 North Carolina women's basketball stormed back to earn its sixth win of the year when trailing at the half, downing Virginia Tech 66-63 in overtime from Cassell Coliseum on Thursday night.

With its defense taking control, North Carolina (22-6, 11-4 ACC) picked up its first win over Virginia Tech (20-8, 10-6 ACC) in Blacksburg since 2021 and its second overtime victory of the season. The Tar Heels had not won two overtime games in a season since 2018.

In traditional fashion, a balanced attack powered Carolina with four Tar Heels wrapping their nights in double-figures. Leading the way, Nyla Harris posted a team-high 15 points and nine rebounds, with eight of her points coming in the second half.

Matching her season-high with five assists, Elina Aarnisalo also added 13 points. In a homecoming affair, Lanie Grant came up huge for the Tar Heels in clutch moments en route to 12 points.

All over the ball on defense, Indya Nivar snagged four steals and added 10 points. A stellar defender, Nivar has now totaled 13 games this season with 3 or more steals.

With the second three-pointer of her career, Harris got the Tar Heels moving on offense after three turnovers within the first few possessions. Nivar grabbed her first bucket of the night in the paint, while a Ciera Toomey triple began to create separation in the opening frame. Relying on the three-ball on both sides of the court, Virginia Tech fired off multiple of their own to create a one-possession game. Ending the quarter on a 10-0 run, the Hokies held an 18-14 lead over Carolina at the end of the first.

Turnovers plagued the Tar Heels, as Virginia Tech worked to strengthen its advantage. Held without a point for over seven minutes between the end of the first and the start of the second, Carolina struggled to find open looks in the paint. A strong take by Elina Aarnisalo ended the drought, bringing the Tar Heels within four midway through the quarter. With points coming at a premium, Carolina relied on threes to fall, yet could not convert. Held without a field goal for the final six minutes of the half, the Tar Heels found themselves facing a seven-point deficit at the break by trailing 28-21.

Aarnisalo carried the Tar Heels on offense with seven quick points to start the third, to force a three-point game. Forcing the Hokies into a three-minute scoring drought, a 6-0 Carolina scoring burst energized the Tar Heels as they remained within one possession. As Carolina entered a scoring lull, the threes fell for the Hokies, nearing the quarter break to hold a seven-point advantage with a little over a minute remaining in the frame. Firing off a 5-0 run, including a triple in the final seconds by Toomey, Carolina pulled within two to trail 44-42 with 10 minutes remaining.

Finding success on the inside, Carolina relied on the work of Harris to remain within striking distance of the Hokie lead. A huge three from Nyla Brooks forced a one-point game, followed by Grant's converting an and-1 to give Carolina its first lead since the opening quarter. The Hokies fired back with an and-1 of their own to go ahead by one as only three minutes remained on the clock. A Grant triple provided Carolina breathing room and a two-point lead as Virginia Tech looked to drive. A Virginia Tech layup in the closing seconds forced the Tar Heels to their fourth overtime game of the season, knotted at 57 all.

Putting on the clamps in overtime, Carolina and Virginia Tech without a field goal for over half of OT. An Aarnisalo triple in the opening minute of extra time gave the Tar Heels some breathing room, before key trips to the charity stripe. Knocking down all four of its free throw attempts in overtime, Carolina kept the Hokies at bay and went on to complete its largest comeback of the season, 66-63.

Carolina returns to Carmichael Arena on Sunday, hosting Pitt in its annual Play4Kay game on Sunday. The Tar Heels look to make it seven straight wins against the Panthers, with tip slated for noon ET on ACC Network.