Tar Heels erase season slump with record-setting shooting night

The frustration of a 1-2 start to the season vanished inside the gymnasium in Chapel Hill on Wednesday night. North Carolina, ranked No. 23, dismantled North Carolina Central in a 109-40 blowout that secured the Tar Heels' first win of the year and set a new program benchmark for three-point shooting.

The team connected on 18 of its 39 attempts from beyond the arc, shattering the previous school record of 16 set against Virginia earlier this year. That total came in a night where the Tar Heels shot 56 percent from the field overall, turning a tight early struggle into a comprehensive rout.

Nyla Brooks led the scoring with 17 points, going 5 of 10 from deep. She was part of a group effort that included all five starters hitting at least one three-pointer, with seven other players also contributing from distance. The offensive flow was evident in the team's 30 assists on 40 made baskets, a mark of cohesion that was missing in the first two weeks.

The game was effectively decided before the second half began. North Carolina led 30-11 after the first quarter and entered the locker room with a 54-15 advantage. By the end of the third period, the Eagles were trailing 85-31, leaving little doubt about the outcome.

Kate Harpring provided a balanced contribution with 16 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Achol Akot added 15 points along with seven assists and six rebounds, while Blanca Thomas scored 12 and grabbed seven boards. The Tar Heels controlled the glass, outrebounding their opponents 45-21, and forced 20 turnovers, including 13 steals.

North Carolina Central, which improved to 2-2, had Shrouq Amer as its top performer. She finished with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, but her individual effort could not offset the team's 40-point deficit. The Eagles will travel to George Mason on Saturday, while North Carolina heads to Penn for its next contest.