Duke Storms Back to Defeat North Carolina in Classic Rivalry Showdown

In what will surely go down as one of the greatest chapters in the storied Duke-North Carolina rivalry, the Blue Devils completed a remarkable comeback victory, defeating the Tar Heels 84-79 at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday night. The win keeps Duke's hopes alive for a top-two seed in next week's ACC Tournament while dealing a crushing blow to North Carolina's NCAA Tournament aspirations.

Trailing 58-43 with 12:47 remaining in the second half, Duke appeared destined for their second loss to their bitter rivals this season. However, freshman sensation Cooper Flagg sparked a 21-4 run that completely shifted the momentum. The 6-foot-9 forward, who entered the game averaging 18.2 points per game, erupted for 17 points in the final 12 minutes to finish with 29 points and 11 rebounds.

"That's why he's going to be the number one pick in the NBA Draft," said Duke head coach Jon Scheyer after the victory. "Cooper showed the heart of a champion tonight. When we needed him most, he delivered in every way imaginable." Flagg's performance included a thunderous dunk with 3:42 remaining that brought the Cameron Crazies to their feet and gave Duke their first lead since early in the first half.

North Carolina appeared to have the game well in hand behind the stellar play of senior guard RJ Davis, who torched Duke's defense for 23 first-half points. The Tar Heels shot 62% from the field in the opening frame and held a commanding 48-35 lead at intermission. However, Duke's suffocating defense in the second half limited North Carolina to just 31 points on 11-of-32 shooting.

"We got comfortable, and against a team like Duke, you can never get comfortable," said North Carolina coach Hubert Davis. "They made the plays when they had to, and we didn't respond. That's the difference in games like this." The loss drops the Tar Heels to 18-10 overall and 10-7 in ACC play, likely putting them squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble.

Junior guard Tyrese Proctor provided crucial support for Duke, contributing 19 points and 8 assists while committing just one turnover. His three-pointer with 1:28 remaining effectively sealed the victory and sent the Cameron Indoor Stadium crowd into a frenzy. The Blue Devils improved to 23-5 overall and 14-3 in conference play, positioning themselves well for a potential ACC regular season title.

The victory marked Duke's 12th consecutive win and their sixth comeback victory of at least 10 points this season, showcasing the mental toughness that could serve them well in March Madness. With Selection Sunday just three weeks away, games like this will resonate with the NCAA Tournament selection committee as they evaluate resume-building victories.

Both teams will return to action this Tuesday as the regular season winds down, with Duke traveling to Virginia Tech while North Carolina hosts Wake Forest in what has become a must-win game for their tournament hopes.