CHAPEL HILL -- North Carolina salvaged what is left of its season with a surprising 64-54 win over No. 6 Duke in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Not only did the Tar Heels celebrate a victory over their greatest rival on Sunday, they also dedicated the recently renovated Carmichael Auditorium with the help of Gov. Bev Perdue. Now known as Carmichael Arena, the building was loud and raucous as the underdog Tar Heels, who'd lost seven of the their last eight games, found a way to keep Duke off balance.
The game didn't mean anything in terms of the seeding for the upcoming ACC Tournament, which begins Thursday in Greensboro, but that didn't keep the teams from going at each other with the same intensity they've always exhibited. Both coaches called it one of the most physical games of the season, but that just goes with the territory when it comes to North Carolina and Duke.
The Blue Devils, who struggled early, seemed to get their act together early in the second half. But a series of six missed free throws by Duke broke its momentum and UNC guard Cetera DeGraffenreid was there to snatch it away for the Tar Heels. She scored 20 of her game-high 22 points in the final 20 minutes.
After the game, a throng of UNC students stormed the court while the Tar Heels circled the court giving high-fives to fans standing in the lower rows.
Sunday's matchup could be repeated Friday in Greensboro in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals. But first. UNC has to beat Maryland on Thursday in the first round.
