CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dramatic reversal of momentum, Caleb Wilson’s 23 points and a stifling second-half defensive performance propelled North Carolina to a 71-68 comeback victory over archrival Duke on Saturday night at a raucous Dean Smith Center.

The Atlantic Coast Conference showdown, played before a capacity crowd of 21,750, saw the Tar Heels erase a 12-point halftime deficit, holding the Blue Devils to just 27 points after the break to snap Duke’s nine-game winning streak.

The most important part of the game was unquestionably North Carolina’s second-half surge, a 20-4 run that flipped the script entirely. After Duke dominated the first half behind efficient interior scoring and led 41-29, the Tar Heels emerged from the locker room with renewed defensive intensity. They harassed Duke into rushed shots and critical turnovers, slowly chipping away at the lead before seizing control for good in the final minutes.

Duke, which entered the game with a national ELO projection favoring them by nearly 78 percent, looked every bit the part in the opening period. The Blue Devils shot 51.6% from the field before halftime, pounding the ball inside for 24 of their 36 total points in the paint. Cameron Boozer was instrumental, scoring 15 of his team-high 24 points in the first half, while Dame Sarr added 11 early points as Duke built its commanding lead.

The second half was a different story. North Carolina’s defense clamped down, forcing Duke into a 10-of-31 shooting performance. The Blue Devils’ offense grew stagnant, managing only six assists all game. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels, led by Wilson’s steady hand and Seth Trimble’s 16-point contribution, found their rhythm. Henri Veesaar provided a crucial interior presence with 13 points, five defensive rebounds and a key block.

The game remained a tense, one-possession affair inside the final minute. With North Carolina leading 68-66, Duke had two chances to tie or take the lead but came up empty on contested drives by Isaiah Evans and Boozer. After securing the defensive rebound from Boozer’s miss with 12 seconds left, the Tar Heels inbounded the ball and called a timeout to set up a final play.

Out of the timeout, Derek Dixon found a curling Trimble at the top of the key, and the guard drained a decisive 3-pointer with one second remaining to extend the lead to 71-68. Duke’s desperation heave was not close as the horn sounded, igniting a storm of Carolina blue onto the court.

Beyond Wilson’s scoring, his all-around game was pivotal. He added two assists, a block and a steal in 39 minutes, anchoring the Tar Heel defense during the comeback. For Duke, Boozer’s 24 points and eight rebounds were a bright spot, but the Blue Devils received limited offensive support elsewhere. Sarr finished with 13 points and Evans had 11, but the backcourt of Caleb Foster and Cayden Boozer combined for just 14 points on 6-of-17 shooting.

Statistically, the game was a study in contrasting halves and slim margins. Both teams had 66 possessions, but North Carolina’s offensive efficiency of 108.1 points per 100 possessions narrowly bested Duke’s 103.3. The Tar Heels were more effective at the free-throw line, making 11 of 14 attempts compared to Duke’s 5 of 6. Duke won the battle on the glass, particularly on the offensive end with a 7-3 advantage, but could not convert those extra chances sufficiently down the stretch.

The result shakes up the ACC standings and sets the stage for a highly anticipated rematch in Durham on March 7. North Carolina improves to 19-4 overall and continues its strong conference campaign. The Tar Heels travel to face Miami on Tuesday.

Duke, which had not lost since a December setback against Texas Tech, falls to 21-2. The Blue Devils will look to rebound quickly, heading to Pittsburgh for a Tuesday night contest. The loss underscores the fierce competitiveness of the rivalry, where rankings and projections often give way to the intensity of the moment, as evidenced by North Carolina’s resilient second-half stand on its home floor.