Tar Heels and Wolverines Punch Tickets to NCAA Sweet 16

North Carolina defeated Maryland 74-66 in Chapel Hill to secure their second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance. Michigan dominated NC State 92-63 at home, with two players combining for 53 points in the victory.

Elina Aarnisalo scored 21 points, falling just one point short of her personal best, while Lanie Grant contributed 20 points to lead North Carolina past Maryland 74-66 in Sunday’s Fort Worth Region second-round matchup in Chapel Hill.

The fourth-seeded Tar Heels (28-7) secured their spot in the Sweet 16 for consecutive seasons and will face either Syracuse or Connecticut later this week in Fort Worth, Texas, depending on Monday’s game outcome.

North Carolina received additional scoring from Nyla Harris with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Indya Nivar overcame early foul difficulties to add 11 points to the victory.

Maryland’s fifth-seeded Terrapins (24-9) got a team-high 21 points from Oluchi Okananwa, though she struggled at the charity stripe, converting just 3 of 11 free throw attempts. Addi Mack scored 13 points, Mir McLean recorded a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds, and Kyndal Walker chipped in 10 points.

Despite grabbing 21 offensive rebounds, Maryland couldn’t overcome poor shooting performances, going 3-for-23 from beyond the arc and 17-of-31 from the free throw line.

The Tar Heels held a 42-33 advantage at the break, but the Terrapins opened the fourth quarter with a basket to take a 52-50 lead before North Carolina regained control.

In Ann Arbor, second-seeded Michigan dominated seventh-seeded NC State 92-63 in their Fort Worth Region second-round contest, powered by outstanding performances from Olivia Olson and Syla Swords, who scored 27 and 26 points respectively.

The Wolverines (27-6) also got 13 points and nine rebounds from Mila Holloway and will await the winner of Monday’s Alabama-Louisville matchup for their Sweet 16 opponent.

NC State (21-11) was led by Zamareya Jones, who recorded 16 points, nine assists, and four blocks, but also turned the ball over seven times as part of the Wolfpack’s 22 total turnovers that Michigan converted into 35 points. Khamil Pierre added 15 points and Devyn Quigley contributed 11 for NC State.

The Wolfpack played without All-ACC guard Zoe Brooks due to a lower-body injury, ending their bid for a third straight Sweet 16 appearance.

Michigan trailed 28-25 at intermission before exploding for 32 points in each of the final two quarters to pull away decisively.

Swords connected on four three-pointers as part of Michigan’s 10 makes from long range, while the Wolverines committed only six turnovers in the contest.

The victory marked Michigan’s 16th win in 17 home games this season.