WBB Notebook: Indya Nivar's Historic Day, A Thanksgiving Sweep & More

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — No. 12 North Carolina dominated the Thanksgiving break, sweeping its three games at the 2025 Women’s Cancun Challenge to claim the Mayan Tournament title and extend its win streak to six straight.

Playing three games in three days, the Tar Heels defeated South Dakota State on Thursday, Kansas State on Friday and Columbia on Saturday to win their fifth multi-team event under coach Courtney Banghart — and their second straight after last season’s Battle 4 Atlantis title.

The week in Mexico showcased UNC’s balanced scoring this season, which has led to an average of 84.4 points per game during the current six-game win streak. In Cancun, four or more players averaged double-figure scoring in every contest. On the season, five players are now up to double-digit averages — Indya Nivar, Ciera Toomey, Nyla Brooks, Elina Aarnisalo and Nyla Harris — with Lanie Grant just shy at 9.8 points per game.

That production has come from unselfish, uptempo play from UNC. It also led to a season-high 21 assists in both the South Dakota St. and Kansas State wins, before the Tar Heels added 18 more against Columbia. For comparison, North Carolina reached 20-plus assists only three times all of last season.

Contributing to UNC’s pace was also its defensive activity. North Carolina racked up 39 steals across the three games — including a season-best 15 against South Dakota State and 14 against Columbia — converting those takeaways into 68 points off turnovers and 33 on the break.

Indya Nivar Records Second Triple-Double In Program History

On Thanksgiving Day, Nivar etched her name into UNC history with the program’s second-ever triple-double — doing so in an unconventional fashion. Against South Dakota State, she delivered 13 points, 12 rebounds and an astonishing 10 steals.

After securing the points and rebounds, Nivar admitted she was hunting the final two steals late — all while playing with four fouls.

“I didn’t know the (amount of) steals until probably the fourth quarter,” Nivar said after the game. “They said two, and I was working my hardest to get two, playing within the game as well.”

At 5-foot-10, Nivar is second on the team in rebounding (5.7 RPG) behind Toomey, a quiet part of her game that complements her team-leading scoring. She also used that trait to continue to stuff the stat sheet all weekend, averaging 12.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 6 assists and 6.6 steals to earn tournament MVP honors.

And with Alyssa Ustby recording the first triple-double in program history two seasons ago, Nivar’s Thanksgiving performance will forever be linked with her former teammate in the record books.

“She deserves it,” Banghart said. “She has led this team, and she continues to do so. The way she has gotten better in her journey here, she is all things right with North Carolina basketball. She’s a gem, and she’s just getting started.” 

Lanie Grant Leads Three-Point Barrage 

After Nivar’s historic opener, Grant took over in the final two games. The sophomore guard flashed for 15 points against Kansas State and matched her career high with 19 against Columbia.

Her impact came from deep, where she made six 3-pointers on 6-of-14 shooting across the two outings. Her four triples against K-State also helped fuel UNC’s season-best 14 made threes, and buried the Wildcats under an 18-point deficit at halftime. North Carolina’s 3-point flurry was a reason for the 21-assist outing, with Grant responsible for three of them. 

Yet, she was even sharper against Columbia, hitting eight shots to lead UNC to a win over Kansas State — part of a scoring effort that saw five Tar Heels reach double figures. Her back-to-back point bursts secured her first-team all-tournament honors and showcased her growing role as a reliable bucket-getter for North Carolina.

Recent Results

South Dakota St.: W 83-48

Indya Nivar: 13 points, 12 rebounds, 10 steals
Elina Aarnisalo: 14 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists
Nyla Brooks: 14 points (4-7 3PT), 1 rebound

FG: 42.5% (33-73)
3PT: 32.3% (10-31)
FT: 46.7% (7-15)

Kansas State: W 85-73

Lanie Grant: 15 points (4-8 3PT), 3 assists, 3 steals
Indya Nivar: 14 points, 7 assists, 4 steals
Nyla Harris: 14 points (6-7 FG), 7 rebounds 

FG: 54.5% (30-55)
3PT: 53.8% (14-26)
FT: 64.7% (11-17)

Columbia: W 80-63

Lanie Grant: 19 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
Ciera Toomey: 18 points (8-9 FG), 5 rebounds 
Indya Nivar: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals 

FG: 57.6% (34-59)
3PT: 41.7% (5-12)
FT: 43.8% (7-16)

Up Next

Thursday: At Texas (ACC/SEC Challenge), 7 p.m.

Sunday: Home vs. Boston University, 12 p.m.