Maryland falls short of Sweet 16 in tight loss to UNC

North Carolina used a strong fourth quarter to beat Maryland 74-66 and reach the women's Sweet 16 for the second year in a row.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 10:37pm

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Elina Aarnisalo had 21 points, Lanie Grant scored 20 and North Carolina used a strong fourth quarter to beat Maryland 74-66 on Sunday and reach the women's Sweet 16 for the second year in a row. Nyla Harris had 14 points and eight rebounds and Indya Nivar added 11 points to help the fourth-seeded Tar Heels (28-7) advance in the Fort Worth 1 Regional. Oluchi Okananwa scored 21 points for No. 5 seed Maryland (24-9), but the Terrapins couldn't overcome 3-for-23 shooting on 3-pointers.

Why it matters

This game was a closely contested matchup between two top women's basketball programs, with North Carolina advancing to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year and Maryland falling short of that milestone. The outcome highlights the competitive nature of the NCAA women's basketball tournament and the continued growth and popularity of the sport.

The details

North Carolina used a 13-4 run, sparked by six points from Indya Nivar, early in the fourth quarter to take a 63-56 lead. Maryland pulled within three in the final two minutes, but Nyla Brooks drained a 3-pointer to help the Tar Heels hold on for the victory. North Carolina shot 56.7% in the first half to take a 42-33 halftime lead, but Maryland battled back to tie the game at 50-50 by the end of the third quarter.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
  • North Carolina took a 42-33 halftime lead.

The players

Elina Aarnisalo

A player for North Carolina who scored 21 points in the game.

Lanie Grant

A player for North Carolina who scored 20 points in the game.

Nyla Harris

A player for North Carolina who had 14 points and eight rebounds.

Indya Nivar

A player for North Carolina who added 11 points.

Oluchi Okananwa

A player for Maryland who scored 21 points.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This game showcased the competitive nature of the NCAA women's basketball tournament and the continued growth and popularity of the sport. North Carolina's victory over Maryland highlights the strength of their program and their ability to advance deep into the tournament.