The No. 19 UNC women’s basketball team (14-3, 2-2 ACC) defeated No. 14 Duke (12-4, 3-1 ACC) 53-46 in overtime on Thursday night at home.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first half, with multiple turnovers hindering scoring. In the second half, momentum shifted back and forth, and the game ended tied after regulation. Duke took the lead briefly in overtime, but a 3-pointer from graduate guard Lexi Donarski sealed the win for UNC.
Graduate guard Alyssa Ustby opened the scoring nearly a minute into the game with a layup off an assist from junior guard Indiya Nivar. Nivar expressed the importance of their effort on defense and rebounding, stating, “Just to get it going, we deserved to score.”
Duke quickly answered with a turnaround jumper from Reigan Richardson. Both teams played fast, but the pace did not translate into quick points. Halfway through the quarter, five turnovers were committed, and the score was tied at 4-4.
The rest of the quarter followed a similar trend, with missed shots and turnovers. On one UNC possession, the Tar Heels missed a 3-pointer, a mid-range jumper, and a layup, committing a foul on the rebound. Duke took the lead with two layups, but first-year guard Lanie Grant brought UNC within two with a reverse layup after driving the baseline.
Duke gained an advantage in the second quarter with a turnaround jumper and a fast-break layup. However, UNC stayed competitive by capitalizing on free throws, including three shots after Grant was fouled. The Tar Heels’ first field goal in almost five minutes came when sophomore guard Reniya Kelly scored a layup off a baseline inbounds pass, making it 14-13. UNC held a three-point lead late in the quarter, but Duke tied it at 16-16 with a jumper and a free throw at the half. Both teams recorded three blocks, with Duke leading in steals, 5-3.
Senior center Maria Gakdeng scored first in the second half, converting a layup after a pass from Ustby. UNC then went on a 16-0 run, holding Duke scoreless for the remainder of the third quarter. One highlight came when Nivar made a half-court pass to Ustby for a layup, her ninth point of the game. On the next possession, first-year center Blanca Thomas scored a layup, also assisted by Nivar.
“I thought Indiya came in and played with a lot of confidence in the third quarter,” said head coach Courtney Banghart. “Obviously, Blanca did what she did.”
With just over three minutes left in the third, Donarski found Nivar in the corner, and Nivar hit the game’s first 3-pointer, putting UNC ahead 32-18. Duke responded with a layup and two straight 3-pointers to trim the lead to 8 by the end of the quarter.
Duke made a strong push in the fourth quarter, going on an 8-4 run to cut the deficit to two points. With just under three minutes remaining, Richardson tied the game with a 3-pointer. Both teams had chances to win in regulation, but a UNC turnover and a missed shot by Duke sent the game to overtime.
Duke struck first in overtime with a layup, but UNC quickly answered. Thomas tied the game at the free-throw line, and a minute later, Donarski hit a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired, giving UNC a three-point lead.
“Growing up a North Carolina kid, I’ve always known how important this game is in all sports,” said Thomas. “So I just knew the win would just mean so much more.”
Duke responded with a 3-pointer under a minute, but UNC held strong, sending Duke to the free-throw line while maintaining their advantage. The Tar Heels finished strong, securing the 53-46 victory.
Next, UNC will play Boston College at home on Sunday at 2 p.m.
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