The University of North Carolina women’s basketball team kicked off their 2026/27 NCAA season far from home, facing the Oklahoma Sooners at the Oui Play Showcase held at Paris’s Adidas Arena on Monday. Despite entering the contest as the higher-ranked squad at No. 12, the Tar Heels were handed a 91-79 defeat by the No. 21 Sooners in a surprising upset on European soil.
The Oui Play Showcase, now in its fourth year, continues to highlight the start of the NCAA women’s basketball season by bringing premier college programs to an international stage each نوفمبر. This matchup between UNC and Oklahoma drew considerable attention due to the teams’ respective rankings and the unique setting in Paris.
Sooners Dominate Second Half to Secure Victory
The game remained intensely competitive throughout the first half, with Oklahoma holding a slim 39-38 lead at halftime. However, the Sooners surged in the third quarter, outpacing UNC 31-14 to establish a commanding 70-52 advantage. The Tar Heels’ struggles with fouls played a significant role in the shift, allowing Oklahoma to capitalize from the free-throw line and extend their lead.
Amid a challenging night for the Tar Heels, freshman guard Kate Harpring emerged as a standout performer. Harpring, a highly regarded five-star recruit, poured in 21 points, supplemented by six rebounds and five assists. Her scoring output marked the highest single-game point total for a UNC freshman since at least 2020.
Additional contributions came from Nyla Brooks with 13 points, while Reniya Kelly and Achol Akot each scored 11. Kelly also notched a career-best seven assists, and Akot secured eight rebounds, underscoring their valuable roles despite the team’s overall loss.