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UNC takes down Duke on Seth Trimble's last-second shot
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- UNC takes down Duke on Seth Trimble's last-second shot
North Carolina led for just .4 seconds in Saturday's rivalry game against Duke . But that's all they needed to secure the win.
Seth Trimble's three-pointer with .4 seconds left delivered the Tar Heels a 71-68 win and closed out a 9-0 run in the game. After Trimble's three-pointer, the fans rushed the court before having to clear it, leaving a delay and one last heave for the Blue Devils. But a turnover sealed it and the party can begin on Franklin Street.
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Duke controlled pretty much all of the game, jumping out to a double-digit lead early. Freshman Caleb Wilson got North Carolina right back in it with a 15-point outburst helping cut the 20-9 lead to just one. But every time UNC got close, Duke would extend the lead.
After the Blue Devils took a 12-point lead into the break, UNC kept it close in the second half. They got it to within six late and got some key stops on the defensive end. A Derek Dixon three-pointer, a stop and then a Henri Veesaar three-pointer tied it at 68 with just over a minute to go.
A Duke miss followed by a UNC turnover set the stage.
Cameron Boozer attempted to get into the lane but Veesaar's defense forced a tough shot and a miss. From there, UNC grabbed the board and Hubert Davis set up the play to win it.
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The 13-point comeback was the largest for the Tar Heels over Duke in the last 25 years. And despite trailing for pretty much 99.6 percent of the game, UNC is going home victorious.
Wilson finished the game with 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting while Trimble had 16. Veesaar had all 13 of his points in the second half and had 11 rebounds as well.
Tar Heels complete historic comeback
FINAL: NORTH CAROLINA 71, DUKE 68
North Carolina gets a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Seth Trimble to close the game out on a 9-0 run. The Tar Heels take down the Blue Devils!!!!
SETH TRIMBLE FOR 3!!!!!!!!!
Derek Dixon finds Seth Trimble in the corner who drains the three pointer with .4 left. UNC leads 71-68.
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UNC gets a stop
A Cameron Boozer miss and a UNC rebound with 10 seconds left gives the Tar Heels the ball. Here we go.
UNC turns it over
Seth Trimble has the ball stolen and off his leg. Duke takes over with 39.4 seconds left. UNC and Duke are tied at 68.
Tar Heels and Blue Devils are tied...
UNC and Duke are tied at 68 with 50.8 seconds left. North Carolina has the ball.
We are tied!
Threes by Derek Dixon and Henri Veesaar tie it at 68 with 1:26 left.
Going down to the wire.....
Duke leads 66-62 with 3:16 left in the game. Buckle up.
Patrick Ngongba fouls out
With just over 6 minutes left, Patrick Ngongba fouls out. UNC trails by seven at 62-55.
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Tar Heels can't get over the hump
UNC continues to cut into the lead. They had it down to six but a missed Luka Bogavac three followed by a Cameron Boozer three gives Duke a 62-53 lead with 7 minutes left. UNC needs to start playing better on offense.
The pace is picking up as UNC still trails
The Tar Heels won the second four minute stretch in the second half. They still trail 59-52 but they got six points from Henri Veesaar, his first six of the game.
UNC still down 11
The Tar Heels came out playing better to start the second half. But haven't been able to take advantage of some Duke miscues. They still trail by 11 at 49-38 with 15:37 left in the game.
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Halftime: Duke 41, UNC 29
After UNC cut the lead to one, Duke goes on an 18-7 run to close out the first half. Some ugly basketball for the Tar Heels.
Duke is dominating on the boards
The Blue Devils are out-rebounding UNC 22-11 in the first half. The Tar Heels have virtually gotten nothing out of Henri Veesaar who has just two rebounds and 0 points.
Caleb Wilson powering the Tar Heels
The freshman has 15 points as UNC trails Duke 30-27 with 3:53 left. This will be a VERY important stretch to close out the first half for both teams.
North Carolina storms back
The Tar Heels go on an 11-2 run to cut the lead to 22-20 backed by Caleb Wilson. UNC is getting it done defensively as well, forcing tough shots.
Duke holds early lead
The Blue Devils hold a 20-9 lead with 11 minutes left. Henri Veesaar had to leave the game for a bit after taking a shot to the chest.
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Duke is off to a strong start
The Blue Devils have jumped out to a 14-5 lead with 14 minutes to go in the first half. The Blue Devils are clicking on offense early.
The starting five tonight for the Tar Heels
Rapper J.Cole is pulling up to the game!
Caleb Wilson is LOCKED in pregame
What you need to know
WHAT? Duke Blue Devils (21-1, 10-0 ACC) AT North Carolina Tar Heels (18-4, 6-3 ACC)
WHEN? Saturday, February 7 at 2 p.m. ET
WHERE? Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
TV? ESPN
RADIO? SiriusXM (Channels 81 and 84)
LINE? Duke -6.5
LAST MEETING? Duke 74, UNC 71 on March 14, 2025 in ACC Tournament Semifinals (Charlotte, N.C.)
ALL-TIME SERIES: UNC leads, 145-120
PREDICTION? UNC 75, Duke 69
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Seth Trimble delivers game-winner to beat Duke
