UNC Drops Duke in Lowest Winning Score in History

DURHAM, N.C.– Deja Kelly hit two clutch free throws to help the North Carolina Tar Heels women’s basketball team defeat the Duke Blue Devils 45-41 on Sunday (Feb. 26) in  Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Forty-five points are the lowest winning score in UNC women’s basketball history. Coach Kara Lawson falls to 0-4 against UNC since joining Duke.

Turnovers from both teams fueled the first half. At the end of the first half, both teams combine for 26 total turnovers. UNC’s (20-9, 11-7 ACC) starting five accounted for ten of their 13 turnovers in the first half. Tar Heels freshmen, Paulina Paris, and Kalya McPherson were recently awarded  ACC Freshman of the Week, but today Duke (24-5, 14-4 ACC) was exposing their lack of experience.

UNC started to show signs of catching a blaze when forward, Anya Poole hit a layup off the pick-and-roll with 4:47 remaining in the third quarter to tie the game for the Tar Heels.

With three minutes left in the game, Tar Heel guard Paulina Paris closed the Blued Devils’ lead to one point.  Her teammate, Kennedy Todd-Williams followed that up with a three to tie the game at 38. Todd-Williams again fired up the crowd as she was fouled by Duke forward Taya Corosdale in transition offense and shot 2-2 on the free throw line with 1:50 left on the clock.

Deja Kelly sealed the game as she was fouled by Taya Corasdale. UNC took their largest lead of the game, 48-43. Following a media timeout, Duke tried to conjure up three points in 37 seconds. Kennedy Brown went one for two on the free throw line to give Duke 41. As Duke ran clock their last possession, Shayeann Day-Wilson was called for a blocking foul which gave Duke no chance to come back. UNC returned from trailing most of the game to a 45-41 win.

Duke shot two of eleven to end the game.

UNC’s top scorers all had nine points Deja Kelly, Kennedy Todd-Williams, and Alyssa Ustby. Kelly also had two rebounds. Todd-Williams had five rebounds. Ustby had seven rebounds.

Duke was led by Elizabeth Balogun, who had 12 points and five rebounds. Star guard Celeste Taylor 

Both teams look to get ready to make a run in their conference tournament as the ACC Tournament takes place in Greensboro, NC from March 1-5.