Basketball · National
North Carolina wins an overtime rivalry game against Duke
The No.19 Tar Heels beat No.14 Duke 53–46 on 9 January, using late free throws to settle a low-scoring game at Carmichael Arena.
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North Carolina finishes the extra period
North Carolina defeated Duke 53–46 in overtime at Carmichael Arena on 9 January. Alyssa Ustby delivered 10 points and 12 rebounds, her seventh double-double of the season, while Lanie Grant contributed nine points and made all seven of her free throws. The Tar Heels’ victory was their first in overtime since 2020 and only their second overtime win against Duke. It also extended their run of home victories in the rivalry to four. Blanca Thomas added seven points, eight rebounds and three blocks while covering minutes affected by Maria Gakdeng’s foul trouble. North Carolina improved to 14–3 overall and 2–2 in ACC play.
Duke’s recovery reaches a limit
Duke’s report traces a comeback from a 32–16 deficit in the third quarter. A 10–0 run narrowed the gap before the fourth, and Ashlon Jackson’s two free throws eventually tied the game at 40–40. The Blue Devils forced a turnover with 21 seconds left, but did not convert the final regulation opportunity. They then scored the first three points of overtime, before Thomas levelled the score and Lexi Donarski’s three-pointer put the hosts ahead. Jackson finished with 10 points; Jadyn Donovan recorded seven points and 11 rebounds, and Delaney Thomas had seven points and 10 rebounds. All ten Duke players who appeared scored at least two points. Duke also collected 16 steals and scored 25 points from North Carolina’s 26 turnovers.
A close rivalry before tipoff
The teams entered their 109 th meeting ranked No.19 and No.14, respectively. It was the fiftieth time both had been ranked for the fixture. North Carolina’s preview recorded a 55–53 series lead and a 28–16 advantage in games played at home, while the previous season’s two meetings had each gone to the home team. The schools had already played six overtime games against one another. Carolina arrived after a 76–66 defeat to Notre Dame on 5 January, with a 13–3 overall record and one win from its first three ACC games. Duke was 12–3 and unbeaten through three conference games, making the home result consequential for both teams’ January positions.
The next conference test
Duke’s subsequent Virginia preview confirmed that the defeat had changed its record to 12–4 overall and 3–1 in the ACC. The Blue Devils were scheduled to complete their two-game road trip in Charlottesville on 12 January, with a noon meeting against Virginia. North Carolina’s own match report set its next game for the same date at home against Boston College. Those immediate fixtures left little time between the overtime finish and the next conference contest. The rivalry game had been tied 16–16 at halftime and 40–40 after regulation; the final seven-point margin came from the extra period, when North Carolina outscored Duke 13–6.
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