College Sports

Photos: North Carolina rolls past Western Illinois in NCAA Tournament first round

By Kaitlin McKeown
Western Illinois’ Mia Nicastro and North Carolina’s Indya Nivar chase after a loose ball during the first half of the Tar Heels’ first-round NCAA Tournament game on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Western Illinois’ Mia Nicastro and North Carolina’s Indya Nivar chase after a loose ball during the first half of the Tar Heels’ first-round NCAA Tournament game on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

No. 4 seed North Carolina rolled to a 82-51 victory over No. 13 seed Western Illinois in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Senior forward Nyla Harris led the Tar Heels with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

The Tar Heels will face fifth-seeded Maryland on Sunday.

North Carolina’s Indya Nivar drives to the basket around Western Illinois’ Kaylen Reed and Sidney Skrobot during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Indya Nivar drives to the basket around Western Illinois’ Kaylen Reed and Sidney Skrobot during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Nyla Brooks shoots over Western Illinois’ Kaylen Reed and Addi Brownfield during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Nyla Brooks shoots over Western Illinois’ Kaylen Reed and Addi Brownfield during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Nyla Brooks reacts after knocking down a shot during the first half of the Tar Heels’ first-round NCAA Tournament game against Western Illinois on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Nyla Brooks reacts after knocking down a shot during the first half of the Tar Heels’ first-round NCAA Tournament game against Western Illinois on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Elina Aarnisalo is pressured by Western Illinois’ Addi Brownfield and Mallory Shetley during the first half of the Tar Heels’ first-round NCAA Tournament game on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Elina Aarnisalo is pressured by Western Illinois’ Addi Brownfield and Mallory Shetley during the first half of the Tar Heels’ first-round NCAA Tournament game on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Western Illinois’ Mia Nicastro and North Carolina’s Indya Nivar chase after a loose ball during the first half of the Tar Heels’ first-round NCAA Tournament game on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Western Illinois’ Mia Nicastro and North Carolina’s Indya Nivar chase after a loose ball during the first half of the Tar Heels’ first-round NCAA Tournament game on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina head coach Courtney Banghart speaks with an official during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win over Western Illinois on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina head coach Courtney Banghart speaks with an official during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win over Western Illinois on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Elina Aarnisalo drives through Western Illinois’ Addi Brownfield and Mallory Shetley during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Elina Aarnisalo drives through Western Illinois’ Addi Brownfield and Mallory Shetley during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Ciera Toomey battles for a rebound with Western Illinois’ Mia Nicastro during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Ciera Toomey battles for a rebound with Western Illinois’ Mia Nicastro during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Jordan Zubich fights for possession with Western Illinois’ Mallory Shetley during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Jordan Zubich fights for possession with Western Illinois’ Mallory Shetley during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Nyla Brooks looks to pass during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win over Western Illinois on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Nyla Brooks looks to pass during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win over Western Illinois on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Indya Nivar and Western Illinois’ Mia Nicastro fall to the court during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Indya Nivar and Western Illinois’ Mia Nicastro fall to the court during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Blanca Thomas reacts to a call by an official during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win over Western Illinois on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Blanca Thomas reacts to a call by an official during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win over Western Illinois on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Lanie Grant shoots over Western Illinois’ Kaylen Reed during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Lanie Grant shoots over Western Illinois’ Kaylen Reed during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Lanie Grant and Western Illinois head coach JD Gravina react after Grant fell out of bounds during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Lanie Grant and Western Illinois head coach JD Gravina react after Grant fell out of bounds during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Taliyah Henderson drives between Western Illinois’ Madison Davis and Mia Nicastro during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Taliyah Henderson drives between Western Illinois’ Madison Davis and Mia Nicastro during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 82-51 first-round NCAA Tournament win on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published March 20, 2026 at 8:28 PM with the headline "Photos: North Carolina rolls past Western Illinois in NCAA Tournament first round."

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