AUSTIN, TEXAS – No. 11 North Carolina women’s basketball suffered a 79-64 defeat against No. 2 texas Tuesday night at the Moody Center in Austin as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge. The loss dropped the Tar Heels to 8-2 on the season while the Longhorns remained undefeated at 8-0.
India Nivar led North Carolina wiht a career-high 17 points.Elina Aarnisalo added 16 points, shooting 85% from the field for a new season best, and Ciera Toomey contributed 10 points with a team-high eight rebounds and three blocks.
Carolina started strong, earning eight of their first 10 points in the paint and finishing the first quarter with a 21-16 lead, shooting 76.9% from the field.However, Texas responded with a 7-0 run to begin the second quarter. Despite a brief UNC rally, the Tar Heels struggled to score in the final four minutes of the half, trailing 39-31 at the break.
Texas extended its lead in the third quarter, going ahead by double-digits. North Carolina was unable to close the gap in the fourth quarter, ultimately falling to the Longhorns.
The Tar Heels return to Chapel Hill for a four-game home stand, beginning with a game against Boston University on Sunday, Dec. 7, at noon ET on ACC Network. UNC is also hosting a Carolina Women’s Basketball Book Drive; donations of children’s books for ages five and under will receive a free general admission ticket to Sunday’s game.
