Fourth-seeded North Carolina survived a scare against Maryland, advancing to the Sweet 16 with a 74-66 victory in the second round of the 2026 women's NCAA tournament. Nyla Brooks delivered the biggest shot of the game, hitting a 3-pointer with 1:43 remaining to push the lead to six points, as sophomores Elina Aarnisalo and Lanie Grant combined for 41 points.

The Tar Heels' win was built on aggressive drives to the rim and opportunistic shooting, contrasting sharply with Maryland's struggles. The Terrapins shot just 32.4% from the field, making only 3 of 23 from beyond the arc. Maryland seniors Saylor Poffenbarger and Yarden Garzon shot a combined 3-of-23 from the field in their final game in Maryland uniforms.

North Carolina's path to the Elite Eight will require significant improvement after allowing 21 offensive rebounds and committing 16 turnovers. The Tar Heels found success by scoring 44 points in the paint after attempting just 11 three-pointers. Their ability to move the ball better and secure defensive rebounds will determine whether they can advance further in the tournament.