University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Duke University
WBB Unable To Fight Past Duke, Falling In Sweet 16
March 28, 2025 | Women's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Clashing for the first time in an NCAA Tournament game, the storied rivalry between North Carolina and Duke continued Friday afternoon from Legacy Arena in a defensive battle with the Tar Heels coming up short, 47-38.
North Carolina (29-7, 13-5) struggled to find its offensive flow, as Duke (29-7, 14-4 ACC) slowed the Tar Heels down. Leading Carolina, Alyssa Ustby notched nine points and snagged 10 rebounds. In her final game, Ustby now finishes her career No. 3 all-time in rebounding among players in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Holding the Blue Devils scoreless the first six minutes of play, Carolina jumped out to an 11-0 quick lead. Carolina then found itself facing Duke's defensive pressure to fall into its own scoring drought. Despite giving up a 7-0 run to Duke, Carolina maintained its advantage to remain ahead at 13-9 through one.
Duke ran off to a 12-0 start to the second before Indya Nivar broke through for the Tar Heels. Facing a six-point deficit, Carolina's first three of the day fell from Lexi Donarski to come within three as the clock neared the break. The triples began to fall as well for Duke, as the Blue Devils extended their advantage to double figures. A layup from Nivar in the waning seconds of the first half, allowed Carolina to pull within eight at 28-20 at the break.
Locking down Duke from the field to start the second half, Carolina cut the Blue Devil lead to a two-possession game midway through the third quarter. Powered by Nivar driving through the inside, and multiple Reniya Kelly threes provided the Tar Heels with a spark. A layup from Grant forced a two-point game, yet Duke fired off its fourth three of the game to lead 37-32 with 10 minutes left.
Despite holding the Blue Devils without a field goal for a multi-minute stretch, the Tar Heels struggled to create offense of their own in the closing frame. As Duke extended its advantage to double-digits, Carolina could not muster up a comeback to fall 47-38.
