No. 19 North Carolina picked up a huge 53-46 overtime win at home against No. 14 Duke on Thursday night despite a sloppy offensive performance.
The Tar Heels somehow found a way to win despite turning the ball over 26 times and shooting 32.1% from the floor. North Carolina also only went 2-for-8 from beyond the arc.
With the lack of offensive production, senior guard Alyssa Ustby was the only Tar Heels player in double figures with 10 points (4-for-11 FG). Senior Lexi Donarski, who only had four points in the game, hit her only three-pointer with 1:15 left to put North Carolina in front, 46-43, in the extra frame.
The Tar Heels would hold the lead the rest of the way.
It was much of the same for Duke. The Blue Devils had 21 turnovers and shot 23.5% from the floor. Other than junior guard Ashlon Jackson’s 10 points, scoring was also hard to come by for Duke.
The poor shooting continues to be a problem for the Blue Devils. In their most recent loss to South Florida, Duke shot 38.9% overall and only 23.5% from deep. That is a concerning trend that needs to be improved, given Duke allowed 65 points or fewer in both losses.
While Thursday night was sloppy, North Carolina picked up its second win over a ranked team this season. If the Tar Heels can get some more shots to fall, the defense continues to do its part, having allowed 60 points or fewer 14 times this season.
Duke (12-4, 3-1 ACC) will look to rebound on the road at Virginia on Sunday while North Carolina (14-3, 2-2 ACC) remains home to face Boston College on Sunday.
