Seniors Jackson and Mair lead No. 11 Duke women to narrow win over No. 21 North Carolina
Ashlon Jackson and Taina Mair scored 14 points each on their senior day and No. 11 Duke edged No. 21 North Carolina 72-68 for the Blue Devils’ 16th consecutive win
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Ashlon Jackson and Taina Mair scored 14 points each on their senior day and No. 11 Duke edged No. 21 North Carolina 72-68 on Sunday, the Blue Devils' 16th consecutive win.
After a back-and-forth first half that saw 16 lead changes, Duke led 41-33 at halftime and never trailed in the second half. The Blue Devils' lead was only 56-54 with 30 seconds left in the third quarter but the Tar Heels got no closer.
Delaney Thomas' layup made it a six-point game with 30 seconds remaining. Nyla Brooks hit a 3 for North Carolina with 15 seconds left, but Jackson added a free throw for the final margin.
Riley Nelson scored 13 points and Toby Fournier grabbed 12 rebounds for Duke (19-6, 14-0 ACC). Mair finished with seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
Ciera Toomey scored 14 points, Indya Nivar 12 and Brooks and Nyla Harris 10 each for North Carolina (21-6, 10-4). It was UNC's first loss this season when the Nyla's — Brooks and Harris — both scored in double figures.
There were 10 lead changes in the first quarter and Nelson's jumper in the final minute gave Duke a 19-18 lead at the end of the period.
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A 7-0 run helped put North Carolina ahead 29-23 in the second quarter. Jordan Wood hit three second-quarter 3-pointers to help Duke take an eight-point lead at halftime.
Duke, which visits North Carolina on March 1 in a regular-season finale, leads the series 57-55.
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