North Carolina Women’s Basketball Triumphs Over Pittsburgh
In a commanding display, the 22nd-ranked North Carolina women’s basketball team secured a decisive 78-50 victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday. Nyla Brooks was a key contributor with 18 points, while Laila Hull shone off the bench, netting 17 points, including multiple three-pointers that energized the team.
Season Achievements
This triumph marks an impressive achievement for North Carolina (23-6, 12-4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference), as it marks the second consecutive season the team has reached 12 conference wins, a feat not accomplished since the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons.
Game Highlights
The game began slowly for the Tar Heels as they missed their opening six attempts, falling behind 11-4 in the first quarter. However, they quickly rallied with an 8-2 run, bringing the score to 14-12 in favor of Pittsburgh at the close of the opening period.
The second quarter turned the tide in North Carolina’s favor, thanks in large part to Hull, who sunk three 3-pointers in the first five minutes, leading to a decisive 10-0 run that pushed the Tar Heels to a 39-21 advantage. Hull’s fourth three-pointer of the period capped off a dominant 30-point quarter, allowing North Carolina to leave for halftime with a 42-27 lead.
Continuing to dominate, the Tar Heels connected on five three-pointers in the third quarter, extending their lead to 63-39 entering the final period. The advantage peaked at 31 points with just two minutes left in the match, cementing a strong overall performance. Elina Aarnisalo also contributed significantly, tallying 11 points along with six rebounds and five assists. Additionally, Ciera Toomey made her presence felt with seven points, seven rebounds, and four blocks. Overall, Hull played a pivotal role, making five of the team’s total 14 three-pointers.
Pittsburgh’s Performance
On the opposing side, Pittsburgh (8-21, 1-15 in ACC) was led by Theresa Hagans, who scored 19 points, and Fatima Diakhate, who added 12.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, North Carolina is set to wrap up its regular season with an away matchup against Virginia on Thursday, followed by a home contest against No. 9 Duke on Sunday. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh will face Miami on Thursday and host N.C. State on Sunday.
