Duke vs North Carolina | ACC | 2.11.24

DURHAM – February 11th, 2024

| Written by GoDuke.com |

Duke freshman Delaney Thomas scored a career-high 19 points and pulled in seven rebounds to lead the Blue Devils to a thrilling 68-60 overtime win over North Carolina in ACC women’s basketball action in a sold-out Cameron Indoor Stadium Sunday afternoon.

Thomas knocked down 8-of-10 shots from the field and 3-of-5 from the charity stripe to lead the Blue Devils in the comeback effort. Duke (16-7, 8-4) outscored North Carolina (15-9, 7-5) 34-14 in the final 15 minutes to triumph over its rivals.

Taina Mair registered 13 points, four rebounds and three assists in her 30 minutes of action while Ashlon Jackson rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points, four rebounds and five assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The visitors jumped out to an early seven-point lead, but Duke battled back and used an 8-1 run to draw even at a dozen via a Camilla Emsbo layup off a nice drive and dish from Ashlon Jackson.
Duke held the Tar Heels without a field goal for the final 5:35 of the opening quarter with a late North Carolina free throw being the difference as the Tar Heels went into the first break holding a 13-12 lead.

Scoring was even in the second quarter with both teams putting up 13 points, leaving North Carolina with a one-point advantage at 26-25.
Thomas provided a spark off the bench with six points while sophomores Taina Mair (4) and Ashlon Jackson (3) rounded out the Duke attack.

North Carolina managed to push its lead to double digits, 46-34, as it finished the frame with a plus-11 scoring margin (20-9).

Duke turned the tables in the fourth quarter, outscoring the visitors 19-7 across the 10 minutes. A quick 6-0 run at the start cut the Duke deficit in half and forced the Tar Heels to burn a timeout.
The Blue Devils extended the run to 14-2 via a pull-up jumper from Jackson and an Okananwa triple from the far-right corner. Thomas capped the spurt with an old-fashioned three-point play to knot the score, 48-48, with 3:52 to go.

The teams traded baskets down the stretch with Okananwa’ s perfect trip at the foul line tying the score, 53-53.

Each side had an opportunity to take the lead in the final minute but couldn’t convert, as the game headed to overtime. The Tar Heels had the final look at the basket as a layup attempt came up just short, giving the fans inside Cameron Indoor Stadium five more minutes to watch.
Overtime started off back-and-forth until Kennedy Brown’s put-back put the Blue Devils in front for good, 60-58.

Junior Reigan Richardson cashed in a jumper from the right elbow, Brown added two more free throws before Mair delivered the final dagger via a triple from the left corner for a 67-60 Blue Devil lead with 55 seconds left to play.

GAME NOTES

With the win, Duke improves to 16-7 overall and 8-4 in the ACC. The Blue Devils also improve to 2-1 on the year in overtime games.
The Blue Devils have won two consecutive contests against North Carolina and pull within a game, 54-53, in the all-time series. When playing the Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke is 29-16 overall.
Duke is 12-2 this season when playing at home with Sunday’s victory marking the ninth straight win at Cameron.
For the game, Duke shot 40.7 percent from the field (24-of-59), 32 percent from distance (6-of-19) and 73.7 percent at the charity stripe (14-of-19).
Duke registered a season-low nine turnovers, besting the previous low of 11 turnovers committed at Stanford. The Blue Devils assisted on 54.2 percent of their field goals dropping 13 dimes on 24 made buckets.
On the defensive end, Duke totaled nine blocks – its fifth game this season with nine or more rejections, collected five steals and forced North Carolina into 14 miscues.
Duke rallied from a 14-point third-quarter deficit and outscored North Carolina 34-14 across the final 15 minutes of play to secure the win.
In the battle of the specialty stats Duke held the advantage in four of the five categories — bench scoring (31-6), points in the paint (30-14), fastbreak buckets (7-2) and points off turnovers (10-7).
Duke had three players score in double figures – Delaney Thomas (19), Taina Mair (13) and Ashlon Jackson (10), while three Blue Devils collected five or more boards – Thomas (7), Kennedy Brown (6) and Oluchi Okananwa (5).
22 of Duke’s 23 opponents this season have been held below their respective season scoring averages. North Carolina’s 60 points was 9.8 points fewer than its average of 69.8.
Sunday’s game marked the second sellout during Kara Lawson’s tenure and the 21st Duke women’s basketball sellout all-time.

UP NEXT

The Blue Devils are on the road for two of their next three, starting with a midweek trip to Blacksburg, Va., for a Thursday night showdown at No. 16 Virginia Tech. The game is slated for an 8 p.m., tip live on ACC Network.

To stay up to date with Duke women’s basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching “DukeWBB.”

Out in the rain in anticipation of another meeting between North Carolina and Duke refers to two regular season meetings between these Rivals playing for the 107th time in their storied rivalry and updated standings now Virginia Tech right now half game in front of Louisville NC State just beat

Pit the buy couldn’t have come at a better time not only have they played a lot of minutes but lost three straight and this is an environment where they need to be fresh physically mentally and emotionally looking to bounce back and we have a couple of really good

Defensive teams in fact the two best defensive teams in the league Duke is number one yeah this is what Duke hangs their hat on and you can see the numbers right there TI for second in the nation in blocks leading the ACC in defensive points per game each individually great

Defenders and a terrific team defensive efforts by the Blue Devils and it is rocking at Cameron Indoor Stadium Carolina in what else they’re Carolina Blues kenned Brown going to jump against Maria goang who has played in this building before but for Boston College Deja Kelly gets it into Alyssa

Usby and usby right away attacks the rim I like that look for usby right away the shot fake understanding that Duke is an outstanding shot blocking team Duke in fact third in the nation in Block shots well you’re going to see Carolina mix up their defense going from man to Zone

Trying to keep the Blue Devils off balance Ashlin Jackson who has not shot the ball well lately turns it over and turnovers have really been a problem for Duke this season de jelli is their leading scorer xie Denari the Iowa State Brad transfer gets it back to Deja and

Ria Kelly they need more from their true freshman zero assists in each the last two games and she has the ability to score as well and can score in bunches hunting shots is going to be another key for her as a shot clock winds down Deja Kelly some contact on the

Perimeter that’s a tough shot usby always hustling shot clock again winding down inside Jaden Donovan The heralded Freshman left it short dinari who is a really good rebounding guard comes up with it contact they’re looking play so far B dang gets around Brown and got [Applause] hit and it’s Courtney banghard in her

Fifth season in charge at North Carolina doang heads to the free throw line bangart 12 years at Princeton where she tripped into eight NCAA Tournaments has got Carolina the throw to rean Richardson Richardson back rims it rebound North Carolina basketball Carol Lawson won an Olympic gold medal as a

Player and also is the three on3 head coach or 3×3 I think is what the kids call it they call it 3×3 yes way too to Cara in her fourth season here at Duke former po devourers at ESPN Ela Kelly it’s going to be tough on those switches to shoot over

Big so making sure you find the next action is going to be important take advantage with the second or third pass that’s good defense by the true freshman Delaney Thomas but R night Kelly and you mentioned it you getting R Kelly involved offensively I love it when they use gang as the screener

Because that puts Kennedy Brown under duress in the pick and roll th Andy Thomas with the basket 63 freshman from Charlestown West Virginia gets Duke on the board uspy stopped by Brown who blocked her got it out Kelly Two in a rowman Thrust into the point guard

Spot uspy can bring it up and does cut off by Thomas well he thought about it she has the hot hand garski blocked by Richardson Here Comes Duke good in transition mayor finishes defense into offense the length the speed the quickness and athleticism defensively for the Blue Devils causing

Some problems there you got the mismatch trying to get it in beautiful pass from Kelly and that’s how you have to develop it you have to take advantage on the second pass in offense where the third pass very well coached very dialed in and that’s a foul on Deja Kelly out on the

Perimeter that is the first for Deja and then may goes right at gang turnovers have been a problem poor shot selection sometimes is a problem as well must working on Thomas freshman’s done a good job defensively so far there’s another block Anan Ana and then a foul May is on the [Applause]

Court and they’re going to get it on Deja Kelly really could have gone either way they’re probably going to take a look at it because there was contact so I mean there there’s nothing malicious Deja Kelly’s just going for the loose ball May is in her space incidental

Contact that was okay with which is good to see brings the ball up L is a team that runs a lot of actions in their offensive set sometimes when you play zone it takes them out of those actions and you get in a habit of passing around the perimeter there’s

Three no Brown had it knocked out of her hands Carolina has not scored since the 5minute mark almost forced usby a pass out there now both Deja Kelly and Alyssa uspy with two fouls they’re two most important players and with 312 left to go in the first Carolina is in the

Bonus usie stays out there so no Deja Kelly out therei and and watch how the bo thats just avoid being screen they they are losing their body they’re avoiding the contact recovering out to their teammates Jackson Navar charge Duke only down three cuz North Carolina now is in a four-minute scoring [Applause]

Grout welcome those of you who just saw Notre Dame beat Florida State in double overtime Pam W and Stephanie White this is the first of two regular season matchups and a sold out Amon Indoor Stadium IND Nal both Deja Kelly and Lissa usby have two personal FS for North Carolina and

Neither one is on the floor right now inside a minute to go in the first [Applause] quarter ashy Jackson let it over to Thomas shot clock single digits terrific dish to mboro it’s be Deja Kelly not on the floor well the Tal’s got some easy scores in early

In the ball game by utilizing their five player in the on ball screen check it out on the ACC Network this is nar’s first game in this building and that was something that know certainly it’s a it’s a rivalry that everyone knows about everyone’s heard about but very few of these guys

Have been a part of it like MBO play the Y dinari brings it up not much time heaps and it was just wide right in the history of this story series and this is the 107th game first te to 50 maybe 40 the way this is going cam

Warden Stephanie white joining you from the soldout Cameron Indoor Stadium ium the camon crazes across from us they are standing up the entire game lots of folks making about a 10 mile drive from Chapel Hill to cheer on Carolina including Courtney Bart’s three kids first time m Game if you ever have a chance as a fan to come see a game here I uh recommend it I would definitely recommend it Giani ke trying to get and a cable the sophomore from Court curn Ontario picked up the [Applause] foul Richardson attacks gets it back to Brown who left it

Short it’s a good look though that’s good offensive [Applause] execution [Applause] marski getting it over D is not scored in this quarter which is 4 and 1/2 minutes [Applause] old there inside picked up from dribble and got the bucket four points for the BC transfer who was a Boston Massachusetts

Native first points for Duke in this quarter dinari and here to herself off the defender to get a nice look next see dinari spores for the first time today they’ve held all but one opponent under their season average in scoring and Carolina ons to be well under theirs

Doang working underneath missed it wide right Richardson now to Jackson who hit a three earlier in the game was able to collect great work by Delan Thomas the Freshman offensive PB well I love how aggressive ashon Jackson has been last three games she has struggled from the

Floor she has not shot it well she has come out this game aggressive attacking the rim she G she got that offensive rebound Denari nailing the three She’s Got Five Points so she’s nine points away from 00 in her career The Lion Share of those points coming at Iowa

State Antonio’s coming back in their 3-2 Zone mixing it up Brown gets it out Aon Jackson second three of the game she had missed nine of her last 11 in her last three games has a couple of them today that’s knocked out of bounds by mayor Carolina basketball this is

Perfect execution if we freeze it right here look at this you see Delany Thomas this has to be a drop on the defensive end of the floor it opens up the backside Kennedy Brown finds Ashlin Jackson for the open look that’s how you get high percentage looks meanwhile another

Foul sends Deja Kelly to the line for the first time today in Miami BC and gville pit check it out [Applause] on May short but it goes right to Thomas Zaya in Alexandra zayia number zero first time we’ve seen her for Carolina and had her right there on the pop

That’s what she does she spreads the floor elaya Kelly from the Baseline it’s a tough shot by Rah Kelly Courtney Bard talking about how important it is for her to hunt offensive shots just as much as facilitated did not score Play Just 18 Minutes last week against Virginia

Tech probably play most of the game at the point wowy Thomas having herself a hat onepoint game yeah recovery though I mean that is terrific recovery by Emma cable you think you’re going to be open and dke to just intentional effort to the close out in the rotations offensively a poor close out

Attack the close out great take by Delaney Thomas and then this is a great close out you’re Square to your player you are intentional about getting out there active hands defensively the cable a sck hang on to it sh is off Zia sets the screen Kennedy Brown

Goes over on the switch went to the [Applause] court and after one half of play we got ourselves a one-point ball game North Carolina up 26 to 25 Deja Kelly averaging together 29 points per game usby has two points Deja has two points and I think if you’re Courtney

Banghart you have to feel real good about where you are right now with those two being in foul trouble not getting going offensively Duke swept the regular season last year for North Carolina did pardon me before Duke beat Carolina in the ACC tournament quarterfinals Ania Kelly freshman point guard with the

Tip under 3 seconds to shoot the extra pass and with a half a second left on the shot clock nari picks up for second Donan very highly rated recruit only a 42% free throw deia only has two free throws so far there’s a first basket I like there’s a Kelly attack in

The rim really forcing the action getting by Defenders may cut off by usie left wide open Jackson back rims it Deja Kelly 1 seconds left on the shot clock a long way away from the basket garski another good close out by Donovan the Blue Devils are recovering now ball goes out of bounds

With less than a second on the the shot clock mboro with the defense on usby Ria Kelly inbounds 8/10 of a second left so technically time for catch and shoot Deja got it I like the off ball screening action for the Tar Heels I think it can get him some more movement

Force defenses to rotate now an offensive foul with four quick points here in the third quarter meanwhile Jaden Donovan has just picked up her third personal foul for Duke and now the Duke fans getting into it they team down five got her got her oh there’s not a lot of time

Pam Elby with the thr and the [Applause] bucket second foul on toany Thomas three-point play for usby it’s the up to eight which is the biggest of the game for Carolina Richardson elevates way short usby with the heads up play apologies her third sport was soccer not volleyball so softball basketball and

Soccer in high school in Minnesota Deja here she comes yeah I like how aggressive Deja Kelly has been battled with those early two fouls didn’t quite get into a rhythm offensively and is establishing CH talk into single digits Richardson driving on garski and a foul call by Bruce Morris

Behind the play that’s the third on Lexi Lexi benari trying to stay in front of rean Richardson and just the lean the little bit of Lean Forward well Corner vanard doesn’t like that call two years ago dinari was the defensive player of the year in the Big 12 playing for Iowa [Applause]

State Richardson gets him both ell and usby have all of Carolina’s points in this quarter abiding for 10 they each had two a piece in the first half garski hounded by Mayer usby driving on Thomas Laya Kelly good look at a three just red out but usby doing usby like

Things gets herself a chance at the free throw line ACC network has five games starting Thursday morning with Kentucky and Carolina for Georgia Tech UCF aable gets it to MBO fires blocked by goon who was well away from the [Applause] basket not a good pattern and Maya Kelly fouled on her way

To the basket three fouls now on May Thursday night at 10 eastern time on the ACC Network in ESPN at Muffet Kelsey Ivory Kelly gramlick he’s going to be with me and blackburg on Thursday he’s going to be with you in Black do double duty cuz

You’re cheatting on it it was fun to have the the nothing but NEC state with us on there what a great atmosphere for the NC State Virginia Tech game and that is a much needed three from cable Carolina’s going over 3 minutes now without a field goal another whistle

Now four players with three fouls a piece cuz Reagan Richardson just picked one up and Deja Kelly back to her second home the free throw line there you see visual proof four players with three fouls Luchi is being shut out hasn’t played a lot of minutes because of the foul trouble she just

Gives this team so much energy she’s a terrific rebounder aages 6 and A2 boards a game the disparity in free throws and Duke fans will say hey that’s not fair but was that show show it the North Carolina is being more aggressive on the offensive end absolutely they’re being

Aggressive they’re getting to the rim and in the first half it’s the the only way they were able to [Applause] score but as you put Duke Duke Blue Devils and and you look gret’s great execution and in the game because of their defense but to make a Deep terment

Run they’ve got to find ways to score they almost forced to turnover and knocked out of bounds by Thomas just over 4 seconds to shoot for the heels Carin needs a quick shot Gorski just enough time for the fake to get rid of cable and she buried the [Applause]

Three Jackson one of those people you talked about who has to hit from the outside had a couple of early threes but he’s cooled off Deja uses her left hand well bam that move right there that was a heck of a move Deja Kelly Lows them to

Sleep thinking she’s going to come back out and then just explodes by the defender Kelly has 11 points in this quarter just had two free throws in the entire first [Applause] half is got the TR to tough on conference in Carolina as well that’s two talls Jackson Working on Nar screen from MBO

Cable with the miss that was the shot clock and Deja Kelly thought it was the the game clock buzzer going off but that is a really good third quarter fuel expect the full court pressure expect them to get out in passing Lanes try to get turnover for scores one of these

Streaks will come to to an end Carolina has won four straight regular season games against the Devils Duke has won eight straight at Cameron this season Pam W and Stephanie white joining you on the Super Bowl Sunday good way to get everybody started still got a few hours for the game

So who you got B who you got in Super Bowl got the Chiefs the Kansas Cities the Kansas Cities the Tay T dinari left it well short who do you have I’ve got the Chiefs too tune in for Usher can’t imagine what Vegas is like this weekend ho smes yes

Duke’s bench actually outscoring their starters in this game well Thomas has been spectacular Off the Bench for the Blue Devils and some more PT handy Brown no Point Blank Range and then a foul by Donovan and they lost kayen mcferson she’s going to have surgery a couple of key

Components and IA Kelly lost her drier from the Devils just nine points in that third quarter for Duke their lowest scoring third quarter of the Season nice look Thomas had it roll out two point blank layups for the Blue Devils the last two possessions must spe I really like Kayla

McPherson’s game I do too when Kayla mcferson has struggled with injuries her entire career when she was able to play you can see how explosive she was it’s the is get a working transition that’s how they’re going to have to get it back usby working on Thomas who’s had a good

Game defensively usby getting creative Delaney Thomas the Freshman from charl toown West Virginia good defense I this is just again great defensive effort alcia conal gets the steal and this is when the Blue Devils are at their best Reagan Richardson with the two and then terrific defense by

Delaney Thomas she has been an outstanding spark for this team coming off the bench a double double earlier in the season against North Carolina Central 11 points and five rebounds [Applause] today Richardson nope rescued her found a way to the basket and then is [Applause] hiton thought about it Andy

Brown Richardson defended by Rah Kelly who fouled her hit those tough shots you live with them but don’t want to bail him out by fouling third foul on doing I mean the it’s Duke NC State Virginia Tech she said the only way to get up to rise in the standings

Is to beat the teams above you and that’s a good way to look at it cuz they certainly are going to be playing a lot of teams above them and they’re tough teams starting with Virginia Tech after this one good look the lane Thomas with the Finish it’s only a six-point game

Cameron comeing [Applause] alive stagger screen for garski good defense by Richardson all over Lexi as a shot clock goes into single digits Deja Kelly behind the back elevates tough shot got [Applause] fouled back at the line free throw attempts per game very good at drawing fouls and then

Delivering when she gets to the line she’s got 15 points 13 of them here in the second half and those are the first points for Carolina in this quarter three Blue Devils have four fouls a Conor Richardson and Donovan Deja Kelly over Kennedy Brown cool with a big off defensive rebound not a

Mismatch go to work and she does a spe never given up on a play but the possession arrow points in favor of the Devils she’s got a motor she’s got an instinct and the will it’s a lot of what rebound is all about sure is oh she thought about it little hesi

And it went in second leading score during the regular season averaging 11 that’s her first points of the game four-point ball game uspy with the little step through off the r good de see a double digit lead brittle down to just three Thomas who else the lady Thomas understands how to position

Herself with the cuts to the rim gets into the defender that’s a tough finish fourth foul now on user Delany Thomas now with a new career high in scoring she’s got 16 points and has more importantly tied this game [Applause] up Carolina led by 14 and since that 14-point lead has only

Scored two points those are free throws that’s it Laya Kelly first field goal since the third quarter con gives it back over to Mayor shot off at seven here’s Jackson cona going have to shoot extra pass May got it off just in time and beat the person with the three 20 seconds to

Shoot the nor RI dribbles into the teeth and the defense drew a foul and hit the shot and this is only about eight miles apart Denari first time she has played in a Carolina Duke game chance to tie or go ahead they’ve hit five with their last seven

Shots Furious comeback after being down by 14 dang good recovery with the block I think they’re calling a foul from the backside that 3-2 defense maybe go to a two3 he want to stay in the zone playing some manto man has been effective but Duke has found the recipe to scoring in

That two in that 3-2 Louisville Pittsburgh coming UPA Kelly finally advances rean Richardson now Kennedy brown with the defense Chancey pass knocked out of bounds by brown one what a Hustle by Kennedy Brown to get back into play lari throws it in they’re not guarding the ball

Trying to get Kelly off the screen instead usby catches off the last note AWA gets it up to Richardson who’s fouled oh they they blew the whistle Carol Lawson was calling a [Applause] [Applause] timeout it’s hard to tell I saw the official from behind here we go conak gets it right back to [Applause] Jackson it’s going to end up in some form of on ball screen kened Brown comes out to set a screen Jackson trapped taken away by Rah Davis and then she ran into Reagan Richardson held ball with a half a second left I like the call by Courtney bangart

Usped Deja Kelly Ria Kelly Ana p and Lexi donarski going to throw it in for Carolina have to see Kennedy Brown on the ball be a big big Target to throw over the top 66 dinari to usby for the win and it goes off the rim and often

Times when you do that you’re strong on the on the sh this is a good read a good catch trying to get it up quickly just a little too strong well we couldn’t get better execution and I love it the misdirection everybody thinking Deja kby and brown tip off

Overtime Carolina gets the first [Applause] possession lari the cool who will not shoot from out there now Deja Kelly got Richardson up in the [Applause] air screen from p on the switch he’s guarded by Brown usy just bll her way in to the paint Kelly got

It what a heads up play by Alyssa usby the ball comes back to her she knows Deja Kelly’s available and Deja Kelly knocking it down more hustle from musby and big three for Deja Thomas and us be bodying up on the paint or on the post oh my goodness everything going for

Delany Thomas and this must be playing with those four fouls has to stay vertical but Thomas delivers awkward shot that banked in must be working on Thomas on the other end had to shoot [Applause] it Hana gets it over to Jackson Who settles things [Applause] down come back to the same play the

Diagonal screen really going at usby oh that’s it forie she D tried to draw draw the charge but instead was called for her fifth personal foul Delaney Thomas just tries to go around that’s a tough call to get your fifth on that’s be six points nine

Rebounds just two of 14 from the floor but for Delaney Thomas rims out rebound AWA Kennedy Brown third foul on nvar [Applause] two big ones andaya Kelly pull up there is and IA Kelly so good yes there is the ability to take Kennedy Brown off the bounds but finding the right play

Kennedy Brown huge offensive back her first field goal of the day laar has not done much offensively today short by P great [Applause] hustle Jackson over to Richardson great look four-point advantage and a foul has been called as well it’s on Navar who picks up her

Fourth so Duke has a chance to get four points in this trip down the floor that’s a tough call on IND theall he had a great angle but looking at it it just looked like she was attempting to box out the did not pull the trigger here’s Deja Kelly so good at

Drawing fouls but at the bucket now you got to get a stop stay in the play and finish it number minute to go almost threw it away May three Cena may barries it to get the lead back to seven Denari with the drive offensive Bou was huge but they throw it away momentarily

Richardson took it [Applause] back lenarski forced a foul as May goes to the line for the first time today Carolina had a chance to win this in the last play of Regulation just off the mark by Alyssa usby she gets open probably anticipating contact trying to rush the shot with P for you

Thursday on the ACC Network pool nope the Duke Blue Devils are going to come away with the victory they call it timeout even though it looked like North Carolina wasn’t going to foul and all of Cameron goes crazy right now yeah I think Carol Lawson had talked

About in the Huddle shot goes up we get the rebound we want to call a timeout we want to advance the basketball but what an effort by the Blue Devils looks like in the third quarter they’re going to be run out of the gym but you certainly

Know with the way that they defend they will always be in ball games and they found it offensively in the fourth quarter and [Applause] overtime so old out crowd and they’re already feeling it has made its last three shots from the floor to pull away right now the current run

3414 Duke after falling behind by 14 to their Arch Rivals inbound Carolina is not going to foul and the Duke Blue devis Come Away with an improbable win Downs 14 and they take it in overtime home win streak extends to nine first time they’ve beaten Carolina in the regular season since

2020 can’t wait for the rematch as they close out the regular season in Chapel Hill in a few weeks March 3rd mark it on your calendar