Fourth-seeded Carolina blew past 13th-seeded Western Illinois 82-51 in the first round of the Women’s NCAA Tournament on Friday, and while it may have been a game to forget for most viewers, it was a game to remember for one Tar Heel.
Senior Nyla Harris led the team with 17 points (on 6-of-9 shooting) and 12 rebounds (eight offensive) in just 22 minutes of action. She also recorded three steals and helped UNC limit the Leathernecks to 30% shooting from the field, including 13% on threes. It was the eighth NCAA Tournament game of Harris’ career and the first time she’s recorded a double-double on this stage.
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The Tar Heels’ second round opponent, fifth-seeded Maryland, figures to be a much stiffer challenge. The Terrapins are coming off a 99-67 win over 12th-seeded Murray State in their first round game. It will be the first meeting between these former ACC rivals since the 2014 conference tournament, when UNC pulled off a quarterfinal upset. The game will be played at Carmichael Arena on Sunday. Tipoff time and broadcast information were still undetermined as of Friday night.
