CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Interstat) — The North Carolina Tar Heels opened their 2025-26 women’s basketball season with a commanding 90-42 victory over the visiting North Carolina Central Eagles on Monday afternoon at a half-filled Dean Smith Center.

A crowd of 6,336 watched as the Tar Heels used a dominant first half to seize control, outscoring the Eagles 53-21 by halftime and never looking back in a game that showcased their depth and defensive intensity.

North Carolina’s offense was efficient from the opening tip, shooting 52.9 percent from the field on 36-of-68 shooting. The Tar Heels also connected on 8 of 20 attempts from beyond the three-point arc. Defensively, they stifled the Eagles, holding them to a frigid 26.3 percent shooting performance. North Carolina Central managed just 15 made field goals on 57 attempts and struggled at the free-throw line, converting only 7 of 16 opportunities.

The Tar Heels’ balanced attack was led by a quartet of double-digit scorers. Ciera Toomey, a 6-foot-4 sophomore from Dunmore, Pennsylvania, was a force on both ends of the floor, scoring 13 points, dishing out two assists and recording four blocks in 25 minutes of action. Her presence in the paint was a key factor in the Tar Heels’ defensive effort.

She was joined by Nyla Brooks, a 6-foot-1 freshman from Waldorf, Maryland, who led all scorers with 15 points and added two assists. Guards Indya Nivar and Elina Aarnisalo also chipped in 13 points apiece. Nivar, a 5-foot-9 junior from Apex, North Carolina, added two assists, while Aarnisalo, a 5-foot-10 senior from Helsinki, Finland, contributed three assists. Forward Nyla Harris rounded out the top performers with 12 points, two blocks, and a strong rebounding presence.

North Carolina’s ball movement and defensive pressure were evident in the stat sheet, as they tallied 10 assists and 10 steals as a team. They also outrebounded the Eagles, particularly on the offensive glass where they secured 11 rebounds leading to second-chance points.

For North Carolina Central, the season opener was a difficult assignment. The Eagles were led by Aysia Hinton, a 5-foot-8 guard from Durham, North Carolina, who finished with nine points in 27 minutes. The team’s offensive struggles were encapsulated by an offensive rating of just 53.4 points per 100 possessions, compared to North Carolina’s 105.9. The Eagles also committed 18 turnovers.

The game was effectively decided in the first half. After North Carolina Central’s Aniya Finger opened the scoring with a layup, the Tar Heels responded with a 23-9 run in the first quarter. They extended their lead significantly in the second quarter, outscoring the Eagles 30-12 to build an insurmountable 32-point halftime advantage.

The second half saw the Tar Heels maintain their intensity, outscoring the Eagles 23-12 in the third quarter before both teams emptied their benches in the final period, where North Carolina secured the 48-point victory.

With the win, North Carolina begins its season 1-0. The Tar Heels will return to action at the Dean Smith Center on Thursday, Nov. 6, to host the Elon Phoenix. North Carolina Central starts 0-1 and will look to rebound at home against UNC Wilmington on Friday, Nov. 7.