CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Nyla Brooks scored 19 points off the bench and No. 18 North Carolina pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat Charleston Southern 93-74 on Sunday.
The Tar Heels (11-3) led by 25 at halftime and maintained control despite Charleston Southern's hot shooting from long range. North Carolina finished with a 46-21 rebounding advantage and shot 49% from the field.
Charleston Southern (2-10) cut the deficit to 72-60 early in the fourth quarter after back-to-back 3-pointers by reserves Tyonna Bailey and Thelma Barbitch, but North Carolina answered with an 11-3 run to put the game out of reach. Elina Aarnisalo scored six points during the stretch, and Reniya Kelly added a layup to push the lead back above 20.
The Buccaneers continued to score from the perimeter, finishing 12 of 23 (52%) from 3-point range, but struggled to generate stops down the stretch. North Carolina closed the game by scoring 15 of the final 23 points, including two late 3-pointers from Brooks.
Aarnisalo had 16 points for North Carolina. Indya Nivar finished with 14 points and six assists, and Taissa Queiroz recorded a career-high four assists off the bench.
Charleston Southern was led by 31 points from Bailey, but the Buccaneers were unable to overcome North Carolina's depth.
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North Carolina heads to Boston College on Dec. 29.
