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Duke vs UNC: Tar Heels’ Resounding Victory-No. 3 North Carolina Dominates No. 7 Duke 93-84, Exerting Powerful Control Over ACC Standings.
Duke vs UNC: North Carolina secures a commanding 93-84 victory over Duke, solidifying their position as the top team in the ACC.
Carolina dominates Duke with a convincing 94-83 victory, securing their spot in round one.
Harrison Ingram and Armando Bacot, two standout players from North Carolina, made a significant impact in the intense rivalry between Duke and UNC. They showcased their skills by scoring a combined total of 46 points on an impressive 18-25 shooting. Throughout the game, UNC maintained a comfortable lead, dominating the second half and ultimately securing a 94-83 victory in Chapel Hill.
The Tar Heels displayed an exceptional level of energy, particularly on the defensive end, which contributed to their success. Their fourth-ranked defense stifled Duke’s offense, creating numerous opportunities for UNC to capitalize on fast breaks. In fact, the average possession for North Carolina lasted a mere 10 seconds during the opening six minutes of the game.
UNC’s star freshman point guard, Elliot Cadeau, demonstrated his court vision and playmaking abilities by swiftly finding an open Cormac Ryan just 11 seconds after a layup by Jared McCain. Ryan capitalized on the opportunity by sinking Carolina’s first three-pointer of the game, granting his team an early 13-8 lead. This early momentum set the tone for the Tar Heels’ dominant performance.
Jeremy Roach, one of the three Blue Devils who scored 20 points on Saturday, showcased his shooting skills by hitting back-to-back three-pointers to tie the game at 22. However, Carolina’s relentless defense once again had an immediate impact, as UNC outscored Duke 19-7 in points off turnovers. Ryan made a crucial steal near mid-court and converted a layup while being fouled, contributing to an 8-1 run for UNC. The Tar Heels maintained a balanced scoring approach, with six players scoring at least four points before halftime. A layup by Bacot allowed UNC to head into the locker room with a 45-35 lead.
Bacot continued his impressive performance in the second half, teaming up with Ingram to take full control of UNC’s offense. The duo combined for the first 12 points after halftime, with Ingram hitting two contested three-pointers and Bacot dominating his matchup against Kyle Filipowski with three successful post moves. Bacot’s final basket during this stretch was a beautiful left-handed hook shot along the baseline, extending the Tar Heels’ lead to 57-46 before the first media timeout of the second half.
In spite of his immortalizing afternoon in Chapel Hill, Ingram demonstrated his willingness to do the dirty work as well. With six minutes remaining and a 10-point lead, he hustled to the tan hardwood for an offensive rebound, flinging the loose ball back to a well-placed Tar Heel guard. This massive hustle play allowed UNC to exploit a scrambling Duke defense, resulting in Cormac being left wide open in the left corner to sink yet another three-pointer.
Trailing by nine and desperately searching for a way back with less than a minute left, Duke received a lifeline from the review table. The officials determined that R.J. Davis committed a hook-and-hold penalty against Duke’s Kyle Filipowski. This decision granted Duke two free throws and possession of the ball, giving them the opportunity to reduce the deficit to just four points in a matter of seconds. However, North Carolina’s elite defense once again stepped up to the challenge. Despite the deafening roar from the Chapel Hill faithful, Filipowski could only convert one of his two free throws. Furthermore, a mishandled Blue Devil inbounds routine resulted in North Carolina forcing their eleventh turnover, effectively extinguishing Duke’s fleeting comeback attempt.
