Gorecki’s Complete Game Leads Duke Women’s Basketball Past UNC

DURHAM – A swinging pendulum described the first half between the North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils women’s basketball game in their first rivalry matchup of the season at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Duke led 34-32 at halftime and went on a 17-3 run within the first five minutes of the second half. North Carolina flustered for one of the first times this season, they never recovered, and Duke defeated the Tar Heels 71-61 in front of a raucous crowd.

“Just a great battle – a great game,” said Duke head coach Joanne P. McCallie. “A lot of energy. A lot of physicality. I’m really proud of our team, especially defensively in-terms of the shooting percentage that was forced and the pressure.

Duke (12-10, 6-5 ACC) senior guard Haley Gorecki shot 7-12, 4-6 3FG, and finished as the game’s leading scorer with 25 points, and led Duke in rebounding and assists with 12 and eight.

“A lot of credit to Duke,” said North Carolina head coach Courtney Banghart, “Their length bothered us. We were trying to break their zone versus score. And Gorecki had herself a night, I recruited that kid out of high school. I knew how good she was. What a special talent. You guys should enjoy her why you have her.”

North Carolina shot (16-7, 7-5 ACC) 19-70, 27.1 percent, from the field. Duke redshirt freshman guard Mikayla Boykin wore down North Carolina senior guard Shayla Bennett who finished with seven points, two assists and three turnovers.

“Just high energy,” Boykin said. “We just wanted to get stops on defense – having fun. And that’s all we preach. So we did that; so it was a lot of fun just being out there and bringing all of that energy. Kyra (Lambert) really led us on defense, so when Kyra gets going on defense, everyone gets going on defense and that’s what happened.”

What’s Next

North Carolina host the Virginia Tech Hokies (16-6, 6-5 ACC) at Carmichael Arena Sunday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m.

Duke travels to Coral Gables, Fla., to face the Miami Hurricanes (12-10, 4-7 ACC) Sunday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m.