The Duke Blue Devils (4) and North Carolina Tar Heels (15) may not have played a game for the ages, but "it was a great game," as coach Mike Krzyzewski put it.
Duke survived a late surge from North Carolina at the Cameron Indoor Stadium Wednesday night en route to a 92-90 victory, thanks to some clutch shooting from their backcourt. As has been customary for Duke, center Jahlil Okafor was dominant in the post, pulling down 13 rebounds to go with his 12 points.
But Okafor's point total was the lowest among Duke's five starters. Guards Quinn Cook and Tyus Jones led the way with 22 points each, shooting a combined 14-31 from the field and 8-14 from beyond the arc.
"It's tough for this game to always live up to the hype," Krzyzewski said in a postgame press conference. "But I think tonight's game exceeded it."
Along with Jones and Okafor, forward Justise Winslow makes up Duke's dynamic trio of freshman. All three were outstanding against North Carolina, with Winslow adding 16 points and seven rebounds.
North Carolina had an opportunity to shut down the Cameron Crazies at the end of regulation. Junior guard Marcus Paige, a preseason All-American, got the ball for the Tar Heels with about six seconds to go in the game and the score tied at 81. Paige appeared to have space to drive to the basket and at least draw a foul attacking the rim, but instead took a long jumpshot that bounced off the back of the rim.
North Carolina's late effort came up short and Duke outscored them 11-9 in overtime to improve to 10-3 in the ACC. Duke is now a win behind Notre Dame and two full games back from Virginia for the conference lead.
The Blue Devils split their two games against Notre Dame, but handed Virginia their first loss a couple weeks ago. Duke will wrap up its regular season schedule against North Carolina, but this time in Chapel Hill.
