In a highly anticipated clash between college basketball powerhouses, No. 3 North Carolina emerged triumphant with a 93-84 victory over No. 7 Duke on Saturday night in Chapel Hill, N.C. Armando Bacot delivered a standout performance, contributing 25 points at a crucial juncture for the Tar Heels.
Harrison Ingram, in his first game against Duke, showcased his skills with 21 points and an impressive 13 rebounds. Atlantic Coast Conference scoring leader RJ Davis added 17 points, while Seth Tremble provided a valuable 10 points off the bench. The Tar Heels, aiming to rebound from a one-point loss to Georgia Tech that snapped their 10-game winning streak, extended their conference lead by defeating the second-place Blue Devils.
Bacot, a fifth-year player, demonstrated efficiency by shooting 10-for-13 from the field, matching his highest point total of the season. Notably, he had last achieved this feat in the season opener against Radford.
Duke’s Jared McCain delivered a noteworthy performance in his first game against North Carolina, scoring 23 points, while Kyle Filipowski had a solid second half, finishing with 22 points. Jeremy Roach contributed 20 points, and Mark Mitchell added 11 points for the Blue Devils.
The Tar Heels controlled the game, preventing any significant comeback from Duke. Davis’ crucial 3-pointer expanded North Carolina’s lead to 85-72, and despite a late surge from Duke, Davis sealed the victory with a pair of free throws at the 1:25 mark.
The meeting marked the 49th all-time encounter between the two teams, both ranked in the Top 10 for the first time in nearly five years. North Carolina’s dominance in the first half, shooting 51.4 percent from the field and leading 45-35 at halftime, set the tone for the victory. The Tar Heels also held a 10-0 edge in points off turnovers during the first half.
This win ended North Carolina’s two-game losing streak against Duke, securing their first victory since the 2022 Final Four semifinals. The Tar Heels now boast an impressive record of 18-4 overall and 10-1 in the ACC, further solidifying their position at the top of the conference standings.
