North Carolina women’s basketball delivered a commanding 85–50 victory over in-state opponent NC A&T, and while the scoreboard reflects a blowout, the game itself offered far more than just another win. It showcased strengths the Tar Heels can build on — and weaknesses they must address — as they push deeper into the 2024–25 season. Multiple players stepped up offensively, the team shot efficiently from the field, and rebounding — once a preseason concern — has emerged as a surprising strength. Yet, despite the dominant margin, UNC’s turnover issues continue to hover over them like a shadow.
Below is an expanded breakdown of the three most important observations from the Tar Heels’ performance — and what they mean as the team heads into the 2025 Cancun Challenge.
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OBSERVATION 1: TURNOVERS BITE NORTH CAROLINA AGAIN
For all the positives in this matchup, one glaring issue reappeared: turnovers. North Carolina committed 18 turnovers, a number that is far too high for a team with postseason ambitions. Against NC A&T, those mistakes didn’t cost them, but against a more disciplined or offensively threatening opponent, 18 giveaways can swing a game quickly.
Turnovers disrupt rhythm, stall scoring runs, and fuel opponents’ momentum, often providing them with easy transition opportunities. Possessions are a precious currency in basketball; the fewer of them a team has, the less room there is for error late in close matchups.
Head coach Courtney Banghart is certainly aware of this. The Tar Heels’ offense thrives on pace, ball movement, and attacking the paint, but those advantages evaporate when careless passes, rushed decisions, or mishandled possessions creep in. If UNC wants to take the next step — especially in ACC play, where every possession is magnified — they must treat every trip down the court with intention.
The good news? Turnovers are fixable. This isn’t a talent issue; it’s a discipline and decision-making issue. If UNC can clean that up, their ceiling skyrockets.
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OBSERVATION 2: NORTH CAROLINA BRINGS A THREE-POINT BARRAGE
If turnovers held the Tar Heels back, their perimeter shooting did the exact opposite — it pushed them forward. North Carolina shot 35 percent from beyond the arc, with contributions coming from all over the roster. This is perhaps the most encouraging part of UNC’s offensive identity: the diversity of shooters.
Nyla Brooks led the way, going 4-for-11 from deep — a clear green light shooter with confidence.
Reniya Kelly, Jordan Zubich, and Lanie Grant added two triples each.
Elina Aarnisalo and Indya Nivar knocked down one apiece.
This balanced distribution of long-range scoring is a weapon. It forces opponents to stretch their defense, opening driving lanes and post opportunities. It gives Banghart lineup flexibility — she can play big, small, fast, or deliberate. And most importantly, it prevents defenses from keying in on one shooter.
UNC’s offense has often been at its best when multiple players pose perimeter threats, and this game provided a glimpse of what the team could look like when firing on all cylinders. If the Tar Heels continue building this identity, it could become one of their most reliable strengths as the season progresses.
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OBSERVATION 3: UNC CRASHES THE GLASS WITH PURPOSE
Perhaps the most surprising — and promising — development of the season has been North Carolina’s rebounding. Preseason questions lingered about whether this team, with its youth and positional changes, could rebound at a high level. They answered loudly against NC A&T.
UNC secured 38 rebounds, dominating the glass on both ends of the floor. Ten different Tar Heels grabbed at least one rebound, demonstrating a team-wide commitment to physicality and hustle. Indya Nivar led the charge with 10 rebounds, completing a well-earned double-double that displayed her importance as an all-around contributor.
Rebounding is more than a statistic; it is a reflection of effort, positioning, and awareness. A strong rebounding team dictates tempo, limits opponents’ second chances, and fuels transition opportunities — all of which play directly into UNC’s strengths.
If rebounding continues to trend upward, it could serve as the foundation of the Tar Heels’ identity: gritty, aggressive, and relentlessly competitive in the paint.
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LOOKING AHEAD: CANCUN CHALLENGE NEXT
With NC A&T in the rearview, North Carolina now shifts focus to its next test: South Dakota State, the first opponent in the 2025 Cancun Challenge. This upcoming matchup offers a chance to measure progress, build on emerging strengths, and test whether the Tar Heels have learned from early-season mistakes.
The turnovers must improve, but the shooting depth, rebounding force, and energy from multiple contributors suggest that UNC is trending in a promising direction. If the Tar Heels continue to grow, refine their identity, and lean into the versatility they’ve shown, this team could become one of the most exciting units in the ACC.
For now, the message is clear: North Carolina is winning, improving, and showing flashes of who they can become — and the season is just getting started.
