No. 12 North Carolina Dominates South Dakota State in Cancun Challenge

CANCUN, MEXICO — The No. 12 North Carolina Tar Heels took control of their 2025 Cancun Challenge opener, defeating the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 83-48 on November 27. The victory marks UNC’s third consecutive win and improves their season record to 6-1.

North Carolina opened the game strong, leading 26-8 after the first quarter. The Tar Heels demonstrated their shooting prowess, hitting 39-of-59 attempts from the field, resulting in an impressive 66.1% shooting percentage.

Elina Aarnisalo led the scoring for the Tar Heels with 20 points, while Indya Nivar added 18 points and recorded a triple-double with ten rebounds and ten assists. Nivar’s performance was recognized as a significant factor in North Carolina’s ability to stretch their lead.

The Jackrabbits, currently 5-1, struggled to keep pace with the Tar Heels. Brooklyn Meyer was the standout player for South Dakota State, scoring 14 points but was unable to shift momentum. The team averaged over 80 points per game heading into the matchup but fell short against North Carolina’s defense.

This win marks a return to Mexico for the Tar Heels, who last played there in 2019. Head Coach Courtney Banghart expressed pride in her team’s performance. ‘Our girls executed the game plan perfectly and showed great teamwork today,’ she said. ‘We look forward to continuing this momentum in our upcoming games here in Cancun.’

Next, North Carolina will face Kansas State on November 28, as they continue their quest for another multi-team event title.