Duke Gets Swept By North Carolina With Loss In The Regular Season Finale

Instead of earning a split this season Duke was swept by North Carolina in the regular season finale in Chapel Hill.

Freshman Coby White scored 21 points and third-ranked North Carolina hung on late to beat fourth-ranked Duke 79-70 on Saturday to clinch a share of the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season championship. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211794802&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Senior Kenny Williams scored a season-high 18 points for the Tar Heels (26-5, 16-2), who led by 15 with about 6 1/2 minutes left but had to hold off a rally from their fiercest rival -- who played yet again without injured freshman star Zion Williamson. Duke lost starting big man Marques Bolden early in this one, too. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211794802&DB_OEM_ID=4200

The Tar Heels bumbled their way to the finish after building their big lead, letting the Blue Devils (26-5, 14-4) get as close as 75-70 on RJ Barrett's 3-pointer with 2:19 left. Ultimately UNC held on, earning its first regular-season sweep of the Blue Devils since 2009. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211794802&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Barrett scored 26 points to lead the Blue Devils, who shot just 23 percent after halftime. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211794802&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Both Duke and North Carolina will now prepare for the postseason as they open up ACC Tournament play this week in Charlotte at the Spectrum Center that is home to the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA.