In an exciting display of skill and determination, Reigan Richardson demonstrated her prowess on the court by scoring 13 of her 23 points in the pivotal third quarter, leading 16th-ranked Duke to a 68-53 victory over the eighth-ranked North Carolina on Thursday night. This victory was significant for the Blue Devils, who were also lifted by freshman Toby Fournier’s impressive performance of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Fournier, who had a challenging outing in last month’s loss to the Tar Heels, made a strong comeback to contribute significantly to Duke’s triumph.
Despite the efforts of freshman Lanie Grant, who scored 17 points for the Tar Heels, North Carolina struggled to maintain its unbeaten road record, dropping their first away game after a 9-0 start. Both Duke and North Carolina are vying for a top-four seed in the upcoming ACC Tournament, which not only brings a prestigious double-round bye but also a chance to host opening-weekend games in the NCAA Tournament. Recently, both teams have been projected as regional 3 seeds according to the latest NCAA selection committee forecasts.
A few takeaways from the game highlighted why the clash leaned in Duke’s favor. North Carolina, despite their recent streak of seven consecutive victories and 12 wins out of 13, found the third quarter challenging. Missing from their lineup was the injured Alyssa Ustby, and unexpectedly, guard Reniya Kelly, who has been averaging 15.5 points over her last eight games. These absences were felt as Duke capitalized on the situation.
A crucial moment in the game occurred when Richardson sparked a series of scoring runs, including two consecutive 3-pointers and a third during an 11-0 rally. This sequence was rounded off by Ashlon Jackson’s impressive long-range three-pointer just before the buzzer, giving Duke a solid 52-41 lead heading into the final quarter.
A key statistic that tells the tale of the third quarter was North Carolina having more turnovers (10) than points scored (nine). Duke, capitalizing on their opponent’s mistakes, generated 11 of their 25 points from these turnovers, reinforcing their lead and securing the win.
As the regular season nears its end, both teams are set for their final games on Sunday. North Carolina will return home to face Virginia, while the Blue Devils prepare for a challenging visit to No. 24 Florida State. With both teams eyeing favorable seeding positions, these upcoming matches will be pivotal in shaping their postseason opportunities.
