Photos: North Carolina advances to Sweet 16 with win over Maryland
By Kaitlin McKeown
North Carolina’s Indya Nivar puts up a shot over Maryland’s Addi Mack (3) and Yarden Garzon (12) during the first half of the Tar Heels’ second-round NCAA Tournament game on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Kaitlin McKeown
kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina faces fifth-seeded Maryland in the NCAA Tournament second round on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill.
Sophomore Elina Aarnisalo led the Tar Heels with 21 points.
North Carolina will face the winner of UConn vs. Syracuse in the Fort Worth Regional.
North Carolina’s Nyla Harris reacts after drawing a foul during the first half of the Tar Heels’ second-round NCAA Tournament game against Maryland on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina head coach Courtney Banghart reacts during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 74-66 second-round NCAA Tournament win over Maryland on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Elina Aarnisalo drives between Maryland’s Yarden Garzon and Mir McLean during the first half of the Tar Heels’ second-round NCAA Tournament game on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina head coach Courtney Banghart talks with her team during a timeout in the second half of the Tar Heels’ 74-66 second-round NCAA Tournament win over Maryland on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Nyla Brooks shoots over Maryland’s Kyndal Walker during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 74-66 second-round NCAA Tournament win on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
The North Carolina bench reacts following a basket by Lanie Grant late in the second half of the Tar Heels’ 74-66 second-round NCAA Tournament win over Maryland on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Lanie Grant dives on a loose ball past Maryland’s Oluchi Okananwa and Mir McLean during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 74-66 second-round NCAA Tournament win over Maryland on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Nyla Brooks shoots over Maryland’s Kyndal Walker during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 74-66 second-round NCAA Tournament win on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Indya Nivar drives against Maryland’s Rainey Welson during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 74-66 second-round NCAA Tournament win on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina head coach Courtney Banghart reacts during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 74-66 second-round NCAA Tournament win over Maryland on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Maryland’s Oluchi Okananwa and Kyndal Walker pressure North Carolina’s Taissa Queiroz during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 74-66 second-round NCAA Tournament win over Maryland on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Lanie Grant drives past Maryland’s Yarden Garzon during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 74-66 second-round NCAA Tournament win on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Nyla Harris reacts following the Tar Heels’ 74-66 second-round NCAA Tournament win over Maryland on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Nyla Brooks high-fives fans following the Tar Heels’ 74-66 second-round NCAA Tournament win over Maryland on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
This story was originally published March 22, 2026 at 8:54 PM.
