Carolina Prevails In Overtime Battle, Knocking Off No. 14 Duke, 53-46
January 9, 2025 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Facing off against No. 14 Duke for the first of two times this season, the 109th meeting proved to be one to remember as No. 19 North Carolina earned its second overtime victory against the Blue Devils, 53-46. Thursday night's win marked the Tar Heels' fourth consecutive victory over Duke in Chapel Hill.
In another classic edition of the Tobacco Road rivalry, North Carolina (14-3, 2-2 ACC) handed Duke (12-4, 3-1 ACC) its fourth road loss of the season as the Tar Heels went on to earn its first overtime win since 2020.
Nine Tar Heels contributed to the team victory over the Blue Devils, with freshman Blanca Thomas making a splash in her first game against the in-state foe. Coming in off the bench, Thomas proved to be a huge presence with Maria Gakdeng in foul trouble as she added seven points, eight rebounds and a team-best three blocks off the bench.
Leading Carolina in scoring, Alyssa Ustby recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds. All over the court for UNC, Indya Nivar tallied seven points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out a team-high four assists. A strong defensive presence, Reniya Kelly snagged two steals, tallied a season-bests five rebounds and added eight points.
Cool, calm and collected, Lanie Grant recorded nine points while going seven-of-seven at the free-throw line. Carolina remains a defensive unit, limiting Duke to a season-low 46 points and holding its fifth opponent of the season under 50 points.
Feeling the intensity from the jump, both teams proved it was about to be a defensive battle with only 14 combined points in the first quarter. Despite limiting Duke to 20% from the field, the Blue Devils held a narrow lead over Carolina at 8-6 through 10 minutes.
With scoring coming at a premium, Carolina and Duke each struggled to reach the basket throughout the second frame. Forcing the Blue Devils to cough up the ball, Carolina mustered up a 7-0 run to regain a three-point lead. Duke responded in the final two minutes to even the score at 16 all heading into the locker room.
Coming out of the break hot, Carolina took off on an 16-0 run as the Blue Devils remained stagnant. Holding Duke scoreless for over eight minutes to open the second half, Nivar and Ustby kept the Tar Heels in motion on offense with five points each in the third. Refusing to go away, Duke shot back with a 10-0 run of its own to close the gap, with Carolina leading 32-26 with one quarter remaining.
With the rivalry coming down to yet another intense finish, Duke caught fire to close in on Carolina with under five minutes left in regulation. A made Blue Devil three forced a tie with 3:38 remaining, until a Kelly jumper pushed the Tar Heels to 40 points. Finding its way to the charity stripe, Duke forced overtime with two made free-throws heading to extra basketball at 40 all.
Following three points from Duke at the start of overtime, both teams traded blows until Thomas tied it up at 43 with two minutes remaining. It was Lexi Donarski bringing the house down with a made three from the top of the arc to spark a Tar Heel run. From then on, Carolina sealed the victory at the free-throw line with seven made free-throws to topple Duke, 53-46.
The Tar Heels remain in Chapel Hill, wrapping up their three-game home stretch against Boston College on Sunday. Come celebrate Rameses' Birthday as Carolina takes on the Golden Eagles at 2 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
