North Carolina Edges Duke 71-68 in Thrilling Comeback

North Carolina secured a dramatic 71-68 victory over Duke at the Smith Center, with the 14th-ranked Tar Heels taking their first lead of the game on a Seth Trimble 3-pointer with just 0.4 seconds remaining.

The Comeback Story

North Carolina overcame significant deficits throughout the contest, trailing by as many as 13 points in the first half and 11 points in the second half.

The Tar Heels found themselves behind 66-62 with 2:51 left on the clock. However, they closed out the game by scoring the final nine points, all coming from three crucial 3-pointers.

Key Player Performances

Seth Trimble was the hero of the night, contributing 16 points, highlighted by his game-winning 3-pointer – his sole attempt from beyond the arc in the entire game.

Caleb Wilson led all Tar Heel scorers with an impressive 23 points. Henri Veesaar provided a vital spark in the second half, adding 13 points, which included a critical game-tying 3-pointer with 1:40 remaining in play.

Cameron Boozer paced Duke with a game-high 24 points. Boozer had an opportunity to break the 68-68 tie, but missed a shot at the rim with 15 seconds left.

Game's Chaotic Conclusion

Following the dramatic final shot, spectators momentarily entered the court. They were subsequently directed off to allow for Duke's final possession, which ultimately did not result in a shot attempt.