UNC vs Duke Women Basketball: No. 21 North Carolina Upsets No 12 Duke 74-69 in ACC Rivalry Rematch

CHAPEL HILL — In a breaking update from one of college basketball’s premier rivalries, No. 21 North Carolina defeated No. 12 Duke 74-69 on Sunday, reshaping the latest ACC women basketball standings and tournament outlook.

Elina Aarnisalo delivered a career high 22 points, while Nyla Harris scored 19, including 10 in the fourth quarter, to help the Tar Heels secure their 25th win of the season. North Carolina improved to 25-6 overall and 14-4 in ACC play, extending a late season surge that has seen the team win 12 of its last 13 games.

Duke, which entered the game 21-8 overall and 16-2 in conference play, had already clinched the No. 1 seed in the ACC Tournament. The Blue Devils were seeking their first outright regular season title since 2013, but despite Sunday’s loss, they finished alone atop the league standings after Louisville fell later in the day.

The rematch carried added context. Two weeks earlier, Duke defeated UNC behind a decisive free throw disparity. On Sunday, the Tar Heels reversed that trend. North Carolina went 20 of 27 from the line, including 15 of 18 in the fourth quarter alone. Harris was central to that effort, converting all six of her fourth quarter free throws while repeatedly attacking the paint and drawing contact.

Aarnisalo’s two free throws with 3:51 remaining gave UNC a 61-60 lead, putting the Tar Heels ahead for good. Duke struggled to regain rhythm in the closing minutes as North Carolina controlled tempo and capitalized on late possessions.

Ashlon Jackson led the Blue Devils with 17 points. Duke’s season has featured dramatic swings, beginning with a 3-6 start before a 17 game winning streak that included a 15-0 run in ACC play. The latest loss follows a narrow defeat at Clemson, signaling a tightening margin entering postseason competition.

From an impact perspective, the result strengthens North Carolina’s NCAA Tournament positioning ahead of Selection Sunday and reinforces its ability to close high leverage games. The Tar Heels’ disciplined late game execution and interior aggression may influence seeding considerations.

For Duke, the outlook remains strong with the ACC Tournament top seed secured. However, tightening late game defense and limiting foul trouble will be focal points in the next phase.

Next steps: Duke advances to Friday’s ACC Tournament quarterfinals in Duluth, Georgia, as the No. 1 seed. North Carolina enters as the No. 3 seed and will also play Friday, with both programs now shifting focus to conference tournament momentum and national tournament implications.