University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
25-5,13-4ACC
#16 Duke
22-7,13-4ACC
WBB Falls To No. 16 Duke In Durham
February 27, 2025 | Women's Basketball
DURHAM, N.C. – In its final true road game of the season, No. 8 women's basketball dropped its first away contest of the year at No. 16 Duke, 68-53 from Cameron Indoor Stadium on Thursday night. Lanie Grant led Carolina in scoring for the second straight game with 17 points.
Despite North Carolina (25-5, 13-4) being without starters in Reniya Kelly and Alyssa Ustby, Carolina remained tight against Duke (22-7, 13-4 ACC) throughout the first half. The Blue Devils began to hit their stride on offense in the third quarter to build a decisive advantage to fend off Carolina.
Lanie Grant recorded her 10th-game this season in double-figures, nearly matching her career-high with 17 points. Leading Carolina off the boards, Maria Gakdeng grabbed seven rebounds and added eight points.
Lexi Donarski and Indya Nivar joined Grant in double-figures with 10 points a-piece.
Physical from the tip, both UNC and Duke traded buckets back-and-forth through the opening half of the first quarter. The Tar Heels cooled off from the field, as Duke ran out to grab a 24-17 lead through one.
Grant remained a go-to for Carolina, hitting double-figures within the first minute of the second. Working to slow Duke down in the paint, Carolina stormed back with a 6-0 run to take the lead. Holding Duke scoreless for the final four minutes of the half, the Tar Heels remained ahead with a narrow 32-31 advantage.
Duke came out of the half hitting three straight field goals to regain the lead off an 8-0 run. With no quit in the Tar Heels, Carolina surged off to a 7-0 run highlighted by a Donarski three to meet the Blue Devils at 41 all. Back-to-back threes from Duke propelled it to an 11-0 run of its own to lead 52-41 with one quarter remaining.
Carolina battled to cut the deficit to seven with seven minutes remaining, yet Duke fired back with a 7-0 run to extend its advantage to double-digits. The Tar Heels kept fighting to create momentum and cut down Duke's lead, yet the Blue Devils nine made threes allowed them to remain ahead to go on and win 68-53.
The Tar Heels return to Chapel Hill for their final game of the regular season, hosting Virginia from Carmichael Arena for Senior Day. Carolina will honor its five seniors in Lexi Donarski, Maria Gakdeng, Kayla McPherson, Grace Townsend and Alyssa Ustby at 2 p.m. ET on The CW.
