Lady Blue Devils Secure Elite Eight Birth After Knocking off Arch Rival UNC

ACC Champions and number 2 seed Duke Blue Devils secured it's Elite Eight birth as they dropped arch rival North Carolina Friday evening 47-38 for the second time this season in the Regional Semi-finals.

The Blue Devils were led by sophomore Oluchi Okananwa, who scored 12 points, including 12 rebounds. Ashlon "Action Jackson" contributed 10 points, 3 dimes, and 2 steals. Of the teams 47 points, the equalizer was the bench totaling 26 points.

(Photo Courtesy of Destini Vance-The Juice Network)

This marks the first time since 2013 where the Blue Devils advance to the Elite Eight. In doing so, the Blue Devils will face number 1 seed and defending champions South Carolina, who defeated Duke earlier in the season 81-70.

(photo courtesy of Destini Vance-The Juice Network)

After trailing 11-0 to start the contest, Coach Kara Lawson went to the bench, inserting Oluchi Okananwa, Vanessa De Jesus, and Jordan Wood to settle the tide and establish its defensive intensity. From the final 4 minutes of the first period to the first 7 minutes of the second period Duke held North Carolina on a 11 minute scoring drought.

(Photo courtesy of Destini Vance-The Juice Network)

Duke, whose currently on a nine game winning streak will face it's biggest test yet as they look to redeem a loss earlier in the season against Dawn Staley and the defending champs. Moreover, it will take a collective effort and more scoring to dethrone the champions.