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Murray Today
By the People, for the People
UNC Women's Basketball Cruises Past Western Illinois in NCAA Tourney Opener
Tar Heels' lockdown defense stifles Leathernecks in 82-51 victory
Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:03pm
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The University of North Carolina women's basketball team used its trademark lockdown defense to defeat Western Illinois 82-51 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night. Led by a double-double from forward Nyla Harris, the Tar Heels held the Leathernecks to just 30% shooting overall and 13% from 3-point range.
Why it matters
UNC's strong defensive performance in the tournament opener suggests the team is primed for a deep postseason run, having reached the NCAA Tournament for the seventh consecutive year. The Tar Heels will now face a tougher challenge in the second round against Maryland, who cruised past Murray State earlier on Friday.
The details
North Carolina (27-7, 14-4 ACC) was led by Nyla Harris' 17-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Lanie Grant added 15 points and Nyla Brooks contributed 14 points off the bench. The Tar Heels only led by 8 points after the first quarter but pulled away with a 20-9 third quarter run. Western Illinois (26-6, 16-4 OHC) was paced by Mia Nicastro's 21 points and 9 rebounds, but no other Leatherneck scored in double figures.
- The NCAA Tournament opener took place on Friday, March 21, 2026.
The players
Nyla Harris
A forward for the University of North Carolina women's basketball team who recorded a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double in the NCAA Tournament opener.
Mia Nicastro
A forward for the Western Illinois Leathernecks who scored 21 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament loss.
What’s next
North Carolina will face Maryland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. The Terrapins defeated Murray State 99-67 earlier on Friday.
The takeaway
UNC's lockdown defense was the key to their comfortable victory over Western Illinois in the NCAA Tournament opener. The Tar Heels' ability to stifle opponents' offenses has been a hallmark of their program, and it will be crucial as they look to make a deep postseason run against tougher competition like Maryland in the next round.
