UNC Brings the Fight, But Free-Throw Disparity Tells the Story in Rivalry Loss to Duke
DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina brought its signature toughness to Cameron Indoor, crashing the glass, attacking the rim, and owning the paint. But in a game where every possession mattered, the stat that loomed largest had nothing to do with shooting percentage or rebounding.
It was the free-throw line - or more accurately, the absence of it.
Despite scoring 46 points in the paint, grabbing 19 offensive rebounds, and taking 36 shots at the rim, the Tar Heels didn’t attempt a single free throw in their 72-68 loss to No. 11 Duke.
The Blue Devils, on the other hand, went 17-of-21 from the stripe. In a four-point game, that’s not just a footnote - that’s the headline.
UNC Played Their Game - and Played It Well
Let’s be clear: North Carolina didn’t get run out of the gym. Far from it.
They played their style - physical, aggressive, and relentless inside. They shot 44% from the field to Duke’s 41%, matched the Blue Devils from deep (both teams hit 35% from three), and won the rebounding battle 42-34.
They also dished out 19 assists to Duke’s 11, moving the ball with purpose and creating quality looks.
Possession for possession, this was about as even as it gets. UNC averaged 1.115 points per trip; Duke, 1.143. That’s a razor-thin margin.
But while Carolina was carving up the interior, Duke was cashing in at the line. And that’s where the game tilted.
"I've Just Never Seen It"
Head coach Courtney Banghart didn’t mince words postgame.
“When you out-rebound, and the three-point line and turnover line are about the same, there’s one category that’s not,” she said.
That one category? Free throws.
“I’ve just never seen it,” Banghart added. “I’d be fascinated if there’s ever been a high-level college game with 46 paint points and no free throws.”
It’s not just rare - it’s almost unthinkable. UNC came into the game averaging 13 free throw attempts per contest. To finish with zero, despite dominating the interior the way they did, raises eyebrows.
Physicality Cuts Both Ways
The Tar Heels didn’t shy away from contact - and it showed on the stat sheet. Indya Nivar fouled out.
Ciera Toomey picked up four fouls. Taissa Queiroz had three.
Two of UNC’s key interior players were navigating foul trouble for much of the night, yet the team still managed to double Duke’s paint scoring (46-22).
But foul trouble didn’t just affect the box score - it shaped the game. It forced lineup changes, altered defensive aggression, and impacted how UNC could contest down the stretch. In a game this tight, every rotation tweak matters.
Banghart described it as “a grown woman game,” and she wasn’t wrong. This was physical, high-stakes basketball between two battle-tested teams. And it demanded poise under pressure.
Duke’s Run Swung the Game
UNC led 29-23 late in the second quarter, seemingly in control of the tempo. But Duke flipped the script with a 13-0 run to close the half, fueled by transition buckets and second-chance points. That stretch proved pivotal.
The Blue Devils turned 13 UNC turnovers into 17 points and outscored the Tar Heels 17-6 on the break. While UNC owned the paint, Duke capitalized on mistakes and pushed the pace when it mattered most.
Duke led for over 31 minutes. UNC led for just under seven.
Still, the Tar Heels kept clawing back. A clutch three from Nyla Brooks cut the deficit to 71-68 with 15 seconds left. But once again, Duke sealed it at the line.
What It Means Moving Forward
With the win, Duke stays perfect in ACC play and strengthens its grip on the top of the conference. UNC, now 10-4 in the league, proved it can go toe-to-toe with one of the ACC’s elite. The Tar Heels played their brand of basketball - tough, physical, and efficient - and nearly pulled off the upset in one of the sport’s most intense rivalry settings.
But the 21-0 free throw disparity? That’s the stat that lingers. In a game decided by four points, it left no room for error.
This wasn’t just another February matchup. It had the feel of March - high-level execution, postseason implications, and a rivalry edge that never disappoints.
And while UNC walks away with a loss, they also walk away knowing they can hang with the best. The scoreboard says Duke won. The stat sheet tells a more complicated story.