Third Times A Charm: Duke Eliminates North Carolina in Queen City Thriller

Royal Howell
Mar 15
2 min read

There's a saying, "It's hard to beat a team three times", and despite being down ACC Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, and Defensive specialist Maliq Brown, the Duke Blue Devils were able to uphold the North Carolina Tar Heels in Charlotte 74-71 in a surprising thriller. Jumping out to a 24-point lead at one point, Duke relinquished the lead to get the Heels within 1 point with under a minute Friday night. Tar Heels Jae'lyn Withers with a chance to tie the game was whistled for a lane violation which negated the made free throw. Duke would take the ensuing pass led by two freethrows from Kon Knueppel solidifying a championship birth.

(Photo courtesy of Fayetteville Observer)

RESUME BUILDER

After a defensive master piece in the first half going into intermission up 45-24 (third largest halftime lead against UNC in last 25 years), Coach Hubert Davis gave his players every ounce of fight left in him and the Heels who were potentially playing for their post season Friday. North Carolina who has played a grueling non-conference schedule, including facing Auburn, Florida, UCLA, Kansas, Alabama to name a few is just 1-12 in quad one games on the year. Being down two starters, the Heels were unable to capatilize on a rejuvenated Duke team playing for a number 1 seed.

(photo courtesy of ESPN)

Strength in Numbers

Kon Knueppel led the Blue Devils with 17 points, 3-5 from downtown. The bench provided a pivotal boost, combined by the resurgence of Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba contributing 18 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists.