In sports, the best way to get over a loss is to get back on the court.
Following a tough loss to No. 3-ranked UCLA, Courtney Banghart and the UNC women's basketball program have a quick turnaround as they take on the Fairfield Stags in a Saturday afternoon contest.
The Stags come in hot, winning each of their first three games of the 2025-2026 season. Their latest came in the form of an 80-72 victory over South Florida in their first game of the WBCA Challenge, and the goal for them now will be to leave Las Vegas with their unbeaten record intact.
For the Tar Heels, they not only want to add a blemish to Fairfield's record, but aim to head back to North Carolina on a positive note.
2025-2026 Season
No. 11 North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall record: 2-1
Conference Record: 0-0
Home Record: 2-0
Away Record: 0-0
Neutral Site Record: 0-1
Fairfield Stags
Overall record: 3-0
Conference Record: 0-0
Home Record: 1-0
Away Record: 1-0
Neutral Site Record: 1-0
Key Players
North Carolina
Indya Nivar (Sr. Guard)-12.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists
Ciera Toomey (So. Forward)-10.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Elina Aarnisalo (So. Guard)-9.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists
Fairfield
Meghan Andersen (Jr. Forward)-23.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Kaety L'Amoreaux (Jr. Guard)-20.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists
Christina Pham (Fr. Guard)-14.0 points, 1.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Keys to Victory for North Carolina
Create offense in transition
The Tar Heels can get out and run, especially with the type of defense they've showcased early on in the season. When those defensive stops (especially steals) come around, North Carolina needs to capitalize, finding easy buckets in transition.
Against UCLA, forcing only five steals didn't help that cause, but expect this group to continue causing havoc in the passing lanes and on shot contests, looking for ways to get out and run.
Don't settle
This team features a ton of shooters. While we know that there are at LEAST 10 players who see regular minutes who can knock down shots from beyond-the-arc, it's important to remember:
When the shots aren't falling, don't keep settling!
North Carolina connected on just 9 of 33 attempts from deep against UCLA, as Ciera Toomey, Indya Nivar and Lanie Grant accounted for seven of those makes. We can't forget Blanca Thomas, who drained a triple in her season debut on Thursday, but the rest of the group struggled to get anything going from behind the three-point line.
There are going to be nights where shots just don't fall-that's basketball for ya. On those nights, this group is way too talented to settle, as they need to emphasize getting ball inside the arc to help keep the offensive efficiency going.
Something to Watch for
Reniya Kelly is on a minutes restriction and Blanca Thomas, who made her season debut on Thursday, is also limited as she comes back from her injury. Taissa Queiroz was sidelined due to injury, so her status moving forward is uncertain.
A couple of questions arise:
For starters, will Queiroz be sidelined for an extended period of time? This is an important one, given she's been one of the first off the bench during the early season.
How quickly will Kelly and Thomas ramp up their minute restrictions, and what does UNC do in the meantime to provide Ciera Toomey with some relief (let's remember- Toomey has had her fair share of injuries, she is someone this team can't afford to lose).
Finally, will we ever get to see this squad fully healthy?! We honestly couldn't tell you the last time every player was active for a Courtney Banghart-led team, as we dream of the day that finally happens.
It will happen eventually, right?
Projected Starters
No. 2- Nyla Harris
No. 10- Reniya Kelly
No. 17 Elina Aarnisalo
No. 21- Ciera Toomey
No. 24- Indya Nivar