WBB Season Ends In Sweet 16 Against UConn, 63-42

Friday, March 27

Fort Worth, Texas

5 PM

North Carolina

28-8,14-4ACC

UConn

37-0,20-0Big East

North Carolina

UConn

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

March 27, 2026 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – Taking on the No. 1 overall seed in UConn, No. 4-seeded North Carolina women's basketball kept pace in the opening half yet ran out of gas following the break, falling 63-42 from Dickies Arena on Friday night. The Tar Heels' 2025-26 campaign comes to an end, as they appeared in their third Sweet 16 in the last five seasons.

North Carolina (28-8, 14-4 ACC) had few answers for the defending national champions in UConn (37-0, 16-0 BIG EAST), despite the all-out effort of UNC's Indya Nivar on both offense and defense.

In the final game of her collegiate career, Nivar led Carolina with a team-high 20 points, eight rebounds, and four steals.

Defensively, Carolina challenged the Huskies for multiple quarters, holding UConn to a season-low 63 points, besting its previous low of 71. The Tar Heels also limited the Huskies to just four made 3-pointers, tying the fewest this season.

UConn applied aggressive on-ball pressure throughout the game, forcing 24 North Carolina turnovers. The Huskies capitalized on those miscues, converting them into 17 points to gain a key advantage.

At the jump, North Carolina was able to secure good looks against a stealthy Husky defense. Lanie Grant started the scoring for the Tar Heels with her 25th straight game with a made three-pointer. Carolina's defense stepped up big early in the first quarter, holding UConn to a 0-7 shooting lull from the floor. Nyla Harris also began to connect from down low to propel the offense and stay in sync with UConn. Nivar came up from behind in transition with a blocked shot to keep the momentum with the Tar Heels, sending Carolina to a 12-11 lead after the first quarter. UConn's 11-point first quarter marked its lowest first-quarter scoring output of the season.

In the second, the Tar Heels struggled to make scores from the three-point line as the ball struggled to fall. UConn took back the lead with a four-of-four shooting stride. Elina Aarnisalo ended the Tar Heel scoring drought with a jumper four minutes into the second frame. North Carolina drew a couple of Husky fouls, taking a few trips to the charity stripe to remain in striking distance, as Nivar hit both to pull the Tar Heels within five. At the glass, Carolina pulled down seven offensive rebounds to create a few second-chance opportunities nearing the half. At the end of the second quarter, North Carolina trailed 28-20.

After halftime, the Tar Heels struggled offensively to get things going. UConn continued to push the pace and continued their scoring run to increase their lead. Carolina found little success down low, not able to make layups throughout the game. Nyla Brooks was found open from behind the arc to spark the offense and create energy on the floor. However, the Huskies pushed forward, scoring 20 in the third frame, extending their lead to 48-25.

The Tar Heels were able to keep up with the Huskies in the fourth quarter, as Nivar scored a quick four points to give Carolina a pep in its step. Ciera Toomey added on the offensive action, scoring in the lane and hitting a shot from behind the arc in back-to-back plays. Nivar tallied nine points and a steal in the final frame to finish her collegiate career strong. The Tar Heel defense continued to hold tough in the fourth frame to hold a stacked UConn offense to just 15 points in the quarter. A third-quarter lull proved too much to overcome as North Carolina fell to UConn, 63-42.

Carolina wraps the 2025-26 campaign with 28 wins, the second most in the Courtney Banghart era. The Tar Heels also notched back-to-back 25-win seasons for the first time since 2014 & 2015. Reaching its 20th overall Sweet 16, Carolina became one of 11 programs in the nation to appear in three of the last five regional semifinals.