Seth Trimble Buzzer Beater Lifts North Carolina Past Duke 71 to 68 in Classic Tobacco Road Showdown

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — In a breaking update that immediately reshapes the national outlook, Seth Trimble drilled a corner three with 0.4 seconds remaining to give No. 14 North Carolina a dramatic 71 to 68 victory over No. 4 Duke on Saturday night at the Dean E. Smith Center.

The latest chapter of the Tobacco Road rivalry delivered a stunning finish, complete with a premature court storming, an officials review, and one final defensive stand before the Tar Heels could officially celebrate. Trimble’s catch and shoot jumper off a pass from Derek Dixon splashed through the net as the horn sounded, initially appearing to end the game outright before officials confirmed time remained on the clock.

North Carolina fans flooded the floor in celebration, only to be directed back to the stands after replay showed 0.4 seconds still on the clock. Once the court was cleared, Duke had one last chance on a long inbound pass near midcourt. Isaiah Evans was unable to secure the ball cleanly, and the final desperation attempt never materialized, triggering a second and final court storming that sealed the result.

The win marked a significant impact moment for North Carolina, which trailed by as many as 13 points in the second half and did not lead at any point until Trimble’s final shot. The Tar Heels showed resilience throughout the closing stretch, tightening defensively and executing late possessions with poise against one of the nation’s most talented rosters.

Trimble’s game winner capped a comeback that will resonate beyond this rivalry, strengthening North Carolina’s NCAA tournament profile and reaffirming its ability to close against elite competition. The victory also snapped Duke’s recent momentum and delivered a reminder of how thin the margins remain at the top of the national rankings.

What this means moving forward is significant on both sides. North Carolina adds a marquee win that will factor heavily into ACC standings and national perception, while Duke absorbs a rare late game setback that underscores the importance of execution in high pressure road environments.

Outlook and next steps now shift quickly as conference play continues. North Carolina builds confidence from one of the season’s defining moments, while Duke turns its focus to regrouping after a rivalry loss that will be replayed and analyzed throughout the college basketball landscape in the weeks ahead.