UNC just couldn't keep up.
The No. 8-ranked Tar Heels fell 68-53 to No. 16-ranked Duke on Thursday in Cameron Indoor Stadium. In a surprisingly high-scoring affair, the Blue Devils took advantage of scoring runs to hand UNC its first true road loss of the season. Duke had all the answers for UNC's defense that ranks first in the ACC.
The game started off at a fast and furious pace.
After 5:40 of game action, Duke was up 13-11. UNC shot 50% from the field. Duke — 67%. Both teams tallied a 3. In the first game between these two teams, Duke and UNC both did not have double digit points until halfway through the second quarter.
The Blue Devils took advantage of the blistering pace, rushing out to a 24-17 lead at the end of the first quarter.
UNC found more sustained success in the second, converting on seven of its first nine shots from the field. The Tar Heels closed the gap and took a 32-21 lead into the break. Lanie Grant led the team in scoring with 10 points.
But Duke responded right back out of halftime. The Blue Devils capitalized on runs at the beginning and end of the third quarter to grab the momentum of the game. An 8-0 run out of the break gave Duke a 39-32 lead. Entering the fourth quarter, the lead was 52-41 after an 11-0 run was capped off by a buzzer beat 3 by Ashlon Jackson.
One last scoring run in the fourth was all Duke needed to cruise to the victory. The Blue Devils put a lid on the game with a 14-3 run, leaving no doubt on their home court.
The Tar Heels will return home on Sunday to close out the regular season against Virginia.