Tar Heels Set for Cancun Challenge After Dominant Win

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The No. 14 North Carolina women’s basketball team dominated their in-state rival UNCG 94-48 on Sunday, earning their fifth victory of the season. The win comes just before the team heads to Mexico for the 2025 Cancun Challenge.

Redshirt sophomore Alyssa Toomey led the Tar Heels with a career-high 19 points, four assists, and seven rebounds. Freshman guard D’Aja Brooks contributed greatly, scoring 18 points while shooting 100 percent from the field. The team shot an impressive 62.5 percent overall in the first half.

North Carolina established an early lead, outscoring UNCG 40-8 in points off turnovers. The defense was fierce, restricting the Spartans to just eight first-quarter points, matching the season low. The Tar Heels forced a total of 23 turnovers, capitalizing with 40 points from those opportunities.

In the second quarter, the Tar Heels continued to build momentum, leading 49-30 at halftime. By the end of the third quarter, North Carolina was firmly in control, with a balanced scoring effort and sharp shooting.

The team is set to travel to Cancun for their next three games, starting with a match against Summit League champions South Dakota State on November 27. This will be their first appearance in the Cancun Challenge since 2019. Under head coach Courtney Banghart, the Tar Heels have a strong track record in multi-team events, standing at 10-2 overall.

This victory on Sunday further extended the Tar Heels’ home winning streak against unranked non-conference opponents to 31 games.