DURHAM — In an intense matchup, No. 1 Duke took control in the second half, defeating rival North Carolina 76-61 at Cameron Indoor Stadium. This was the regular-season finale for both teams.
Concerns loom for Duke as starting center Patrick Ngongba and point guard Caleb Foster were sidelined due to injuries. Ngongba missed the game entirely, while Foster went down in the first half. Both were seen in walking boots during the second half, stirring worries about their availability for the ACC Tournament next week.
On the other hand, North Carolina was missing their star freshman, Caleb Wilson, who suffered a season-ending injury. Despite being down early, UNC made a brief comeback, closing the gap to 41-40. However, Duke responded with a powerful 30-6 run, effectively sealing the victory. The Blue Devils dominated the boards, out-rebounding UNC 24-10 in the second half.
“We really stepped it up defensively,” Duke head coach Jon Scheyer remarked. “Our response was impressive.”
Freshman Cameron Boozer led Duke with 26 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists. Senior Maliq Brown, starting in place of Ngongba, contributed 15 points, nine rebounds, and five steals, making a significant impact on both ends of the floor. UNC coach Hubert Davis acknowledged Brown’s influence: “He disrupted us consistently. His defense really changed the game.”
Scheyer praised Brown’s unselfishness and competitive spirit, suggesting he deserves recognition for his defensive skills. Last season, he played through two dislocated shoulders and dealt with a knee injury earlier this year. “Maliq is one of the most competitive players I’ve coached,” Scheyer added.
Turnovers proved costly for UNC, with Duke scoring 24 points off their mistakes compared to just four for the Tar Heels. UNC had 14 turnovers, while Duke managed only eight.
For North Carolina, freshman Derek Dixon led with 17 points, supported by Henri Veesaar with 11 points and nine rebounds. The Tar Heels were aimed at repeating their earlier season success against Duke but fell short.
Wilson’s injury adds another layer of difficulty for UNC. He broke his thumb while practicing, having just recovered from a prior hand fracture. The team is now 5-2 without him this season and struggles more when missing key players. Davis remains optimistic, stating, “We have more than enough talent to compete.”
Duke (28-2, 16-1) now prepares as the No. 1 seed for next week’s ACC Tournament, while North Carolina (24-6, 12-5) is the No. 4 seed. A third clash between these rivals could happen in the semifinals, heightening the anticipation.
As the NCAA Tournament approaches, both Duke and North Carolina will need to address their injuries and strengthen their strategies. The stakes are high, as they aim for a strong postseason showing. For more insights, check out NCAA’s official site for updates on team progress and analysis.
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Duke sports, UNC sports
