MIAMI, Fla. – After hosting a Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) pod at home and earning a 1–1 weekend, the Carolina University women's basketball team traded snowy Winston-Salem for sunny South Florida, wrapping up a two-game road swing against Florida National University and the University of Fort Lauderdale.
Carolina opened the trip with a hard-fought battle against Florida National on Friday afternoon, falling just short in an 86–83 decision. The Bruins weathered an early deficit and delivered a strong third quarter, outscoring Florida National 30–16 to climb back into contention. Senior Jakyiiah Willis led the way with a game-high 27 points, while Mya Smith added 24 points and 14 rebounds to post a double-double. Despite the rally, Florida National held on down the stretch to secure the narrow win.
Less than 24 hours later, the Bruins responded in emphatic fashion, earning an 85–79 victory over Fort Lauderdale on Saturday. Carolina showcased balanced scoring and poise late, outscoring Fort Lauderdale 24–22 in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Four Bruins reached double figures, led by Angelina Jordan, Jakyiiah Willis, and MeiLani Patterson, who each scored 18 points. Dearia Page chipped in 17 points and a team-high 13 assists, while Mya Smith controlled the glass with 10 rebounds.
Head Coach Hannah Latiolais was proud of her team's response after a tough opening loss.
"I loved our resilience," Latiolais said. "Friday was a tough one, but the way we came back on Saturday showed our growth. We played together, shared the ball, and stayed composed when it mattered most."
With the split, Carolina returns home carrying momentum from a strong bounce-back performance and continued signs of progress as the season moves forward.