The Tar Heels kept chipping at Duke's lead, getting the 25 point-lead down to 12. Then under 10 and finally to one before the mistake at the end. UNC rode the back of Lubin who had 20 points in the game but also Cadeau who led a flurry late in that half.

Kon Knueppel scored 17 points and Duke held off a second half rally by North Carolina to beat its rival for the third time this season, 74-71 on Friday night in Charlotte to reach the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament championship game.