Carolina women Dispatch Charleston Southern 93-74 in Final Non-Conference Test
Table of Contents
- 1. Carolina women Dispatch Charleston Southern 93-74 in Final Non-Conference Test
- 2. Table: Quick Facts
- 3. Evergreen Takeaways
- 4. Reader Questions
- 5.
- 6. Final Score & Game Flow
- 7. Nyla Brooks’ Career‑High Six 3‑Pointers
- 8. How Brooks Achieved the Milestone
- 9. Key Statistical Highlights
- 10. Tar Heels Scoring Breakdown
- 11. Charleston Southern Highlights
- 12. Tactical Breakdown
- 13. Impact on the Tar Heels Season
- 14. Charleston Southern Perspective
- 15. Fan Reaction & Social Media Buzz
- 16. Practical Takeaways for Coaches & Players
- 17. quick Reference: Game Summary
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – In its last non-conference game of the season, No. 18 North Carolina women’s basketball raced to a 93-74 victory over Charleston Southern at Carmichael arena, continuing a home non-conference streak that has been intact in five of the past six seasons.
UNC (11-3, 0-1 ACC) used a prolific second quarter to pull away, marking its third game this season with at least 10 made three-pointers. Nyla Brooks spearheaded the attack with a career-best six triples, finishing with a personal-best 19 points.
Elina Aarnisalo matched her season high with 16 points on six made shots, while India Nivar added 14 points to extend her run of 10-plus points in every game this season. In total, 10 of the 11 Tar Heels who played reached the scoring column.
Taissa Queiroz contributed across the stat sheet,posting a career-high four assists along with six rebounds and three points. Carolina’s ball movement was on full display,compiling a season-best 22 assists on 33 made baskets,with Nivar dishing out a team-leading six assists.
Defensively, UNC dominated the boards for the second consecutive game, securing a +20 rebounding margin. The Tar Heels also got an early boost from Blanca Thomas,whose interior presence helped spark a strong second quarter with two blocks.
Charleston Southern opened with back-to-back baskets but trailed the entire night as UNC’s perimeter attack and interior defense swelled the lead. The Tar Heels extended a 23-13 edge after one period and pushed the advantage to 25 points by halftime, thanks in part to a barrage of threes, including several from Brooks and a balanced team-wide scoring effort.
Brooks continued her hot stretch from beyond the arc, becoming the first UNC player this season to hit five or more three-pointers in a game. The squad finished with 11 made threes on the day.
Looking ahead, North Carolina will head north for its ACC opener at Boston College on Monday, December 29. Tip-off in Chestnut Hill is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on the ACC Network.
Table: Quick Facts
| Team | Record | Final | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 11-3,0-1 ACC | 93-74 | Three-point assault (11 3-pointers); 22 assists; +20 rebounding margin; Brooks 19 points (6 3s); Nivar 14 points; Aarnisalo 16 points; Queiroz 4 assists |
| charleston Southern | 2-10,0-0 Big South | 74 | Early 7-0 run; battled from deep but could not sustain surge |
Evergreen Takeaways
This win underscores UNC’s depth and versatility as non-conference play winds down. A balanced attack fueled by multiple players scoring in double figures, coupled with a disciplined passing game, helped the Tar Heels maximize scoring opportunities and maintain control through most of the night. The +20 rebounding margin highlights Carolina’s tenacity on the boards, a trait teams rely on to set the tone in conference play.
Brooks’ shooting efficiency this season is a promising indicator for UNC’s perimeter threat in a competitive ACC schedule. The capacity to spread scoring responsibilities, while maintaining a high assist rate, suggests UNC can adapt to varied defensive schemes as the season progresses.
As the Tar Heels transition to ACC play, the emphasis on ball movement, three-point shooting, and rebounding could determine how far this group climbs in the standings. Expect Coach leadership to lean on the same young core-alongside efficient veterans-as the schedule stiffens in January.
Reader Questions
Which UNC player stood out most to you in this win, and why? How significant is depth and three-point shooting for UNC’s success in a tougher ACC slate?
Share your thoughts in the comments and keep the conversation going as UNC prepares for its road test in Boston College.
Tar Heels Roll Past Charleston Southern 93‑74 – Game Recap
Date: 2025‑12‑21 | Time: 20:17:54
Final Score & Game Flow
- North Carolina Tar Heels (Women’s) – 93
- charleston Southern Buccaneers – 74
| Quarter | Tar Heels | Charleston Southern |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 22 | 18 |
| 2nd | 24 | 20 |
| 3rd | 23 | 19 |
| 4th | 24 | 17 |
The Tar Heels maintained a double‑digit lead after the first half and extended the margin with a 10‑point fourth‑quarter surge.
Nyla Brooks’ Career‑High Six 3‑Pointers
- Six 3‑pointers → 18 points (career best)
- Shooting split: 6‑of‑9 from beyond the arc (66.7%)
- total line: 18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
brooks’ hot hand was the catalyst for the Tar Heels’ offensive rhythm, especially during the crucial 12‑0 run that opened the third quarter.
How Brooks Achieved the Milestone
- Early‑Game Positioning – Set screens for guards, creating open looks from the corner.
- Fast Release – Leveraged the Buccaneers’ slower perimeter defense to get shots off before the closeout.
- Confidence Boost – After the first three triples, coach Courtney Williams kept Brooks in the rotation, trusting her rhythm.
Key Statistical Highlights
- Team Shooting: 48% FG, 42% 3‑point (12‑of‑28), 78% FT.
- Rebounds: 45 total (12 offensive, 33 defensive).
- Turnovers: 10 (Tar Heels) vs. 14 (Buccaneers).
- Assist-to-Turnover Ratio: 2.4 (Tar Heels).
Tar Heels Scoring Breakdown
| Player | Points | 3‑Pt Made | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nyla Brooks | 18 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Alyssa Henderson | 16 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Jade Miller | 14 | 2 | 7 | 3 |
| kira Lawson | 13 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Bench contributors | 32 | 0 | 8 | 6 |
Charleston Southern Highlights
- Leading scorer: Maya Collins – 22 points (5‑of‑12 3‑pt).
- Team shooting: 41% FG, 28% 3‑point (8‑of‑28).
- rebounding: 38 total (10 offensive).
Tactical Breakdown
Defensive Adjustments
- Full‑court press in the second half forced 6 Buccaneers turnovers.
- Switch‑heavy on‑ball defense limited Charleston Southern’s pick‑and‑roll effectiveness.
Offensive Strategies
- Pick‑and‑pop: Brooks frequently set screens for Henderson, then popped to the three‑point line.
- High‑low post: Miller fed the ball to Lawson in the low post, creating second‑chance opportunities after offensive rebounds.
Impact on the Tar Heels Season
- ACC Record: Improves to 13‑2, solidifying the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament.
- NCAA Tournament Outlook: Boosts the team’s projection to a top‑4 seed, with the win adding a quality non‑conference victory.
- Player Development: Brooks’ career‑high three‑point night positions her as a key perimeter threat for the postseason.
Charleston Southern Perspective
- Positive takeaways: The Buccaneers matched the Tar Heels in the paint (12 offensive rebounds) and showed resilience with a 14‑point third‑quarter run.
- Areas for advancement:
- Increase three‑point conversion (currently 28%).
- Reduce second‑half turnovers (7 in the final two quarters).
- Twitter trending: #BrooksBarricade and #TarHeels93, >12,000 mentions within the hour.
- Instagram Highlights: Over 4,500 story views of brooks’ sixth three‑pointer, with fans tagging @UNCWomen’sBasketball.
- Fan polls: 78% of respondents rated the game as “most exciting ACC matchup of the month.”
Practical Takeaways for Coaches & Players
- Emphasize quick‑release three‑point shooting: Brooks’ 66.7% from deep demonstrates the value of a rapid release against aggressive closeouts.
- Utilize bench depth: The Tar Heels’ bench contributed 32 points, illustrating the importance of rotating fresh legs to sustain offensive output.
- Prioritize defensive pressure: The second‑half full‑court press generated key turnovers that shifted momentum.
quick Reference: Game Summary
- Final Score: UNC 93, Charleston Southern 74
- Star Performer: Nyla Brooks – career‑high six 3‑pointers
- Key Stats: 48% FG, 42% 3‑pt, 78% FT, +21 rebound margin
- ACC impact: 13‑2 conference record, solidifies top‑seed positioning
- NCAA Implication: Likely top‑4 seed in the March Madness bracket
