DURHAM, N.C. (Interstat) — In a highly anticipated regular-season finale that carried significant Atlantic Coast Conference implications, the Duke Blue Devils delivered a commanding performance Saturday night, defeating the rival North Carolina Tar Heels 76-61 before a raucous sellout crowd of 9,314 at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

The victory secured a season series split for Duke, which avenged a narrow three-point loss in Chapel Hill just a month prior. The Blue Devils, finishing their regular season with a sterling 29-2 overall record, used a dominant inside presence and a stifling defensive effort to pull away in the second half and hand the Tar Heels their seventh loss against 24 wins.

The game’s pivotal stretch emerged early in the second half, transforming what had been a competitive contest into a decisive Duke advantage. Leading 39-34 at halftime, the Blue Devils opened the final period with a clinical 19-7 run over the first six and a half minutes. This surge was fueled by a combination of defensive pressure and efficient offense, effectively extinguishing North Carolina’s hopes of a road upset.

Duke sophomore forward Cameron Boozer was the central figure in the contest, imposing his will on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-9, 250-pound standout from Miami finished with a game-high 26 points, showcasing a versatile arsenal with drives, post moves, and a timely three-pointer. He added five assists and was a constant force on the glass, helping Duke control the rebounding battle and limit the Tar Heels to one-shot possessions.

Boozer’s frontcourt partner, Maliq Brown, provided a perfect complement. The 6-foot-9 forward from Culpeper, Virginia, scored 15 points, many coming on decisive cuts and finishes at the rim, and was a disruptive force defensively with multiple steals. Their combined physicality in the paint proved too much for North Carolina’s interior defense to handle consistently.

North Carolina, which shot poorly from the field throughout the night, was led by guard Derek Dixon’s 17 points. The Vienna, Virginia, native hit several difficult shots to keep the Tar Heels within striking distance in the first half. Center Henri Veesaar of Tallinn, Estonia, added 11 points and was active defensively, but the Tar Heels lacked the sustained offensive firepower to match Duke’s execution.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair defined by runs. Duke built an early 17-9 lead behind the inside work of Boozer and Brown, but North Carolina responded with a 9-2 spurt, capped by a Derek Dixon three-pointer, to close the gap to 19-18. The Blue Devils managed to rebuild a five-point cushion by halftime, but the outcome still felt in doubt.

That uncertainty vanished during Duke’s explosive start to the second half. The Blue Devils locked down defensively, forcing North Carolina into rushed shots and turnovers. On offense, they patiently worked the ball inside to Boozer and Brown, while also connecting from the perimeter, with Isaiah Evans and Dame Sarr hitting key three-pointers during the run. When Cayden Boozer found Maliq Brown for a three-pointer with 13:21 remaining, Duke’s lead ballooned to 58-41, and the Tar Heels never threatened again.

North Carolina guard Seth Trimble worked diligently to create opportunities, dishing out six assists, but the Tar Heels’ offense often stalled against Duke’s disciplined defense. Forward Jarin Stevenson contributed 10 points and two blocks for North Carolina, but the team’s overall shooting struggles from the floor, three-point range, and the free throw line proved insurmountable against a Duke team operating at peak efficiency.

The Blue Devils’ ball movement was exemplary, with 18 assists on their 29 field goals. Evans finished with 11 points, while Sarr and Cayden Boozer each added 10, illustrating the balanced attack that has characterized Duke’s successful season.

The game’s tempo and physical nature favored Duke from the outset. The Blue Devils successfully dictated the terms of engagement, leveraging their size and athleticism to control the paint and contest every North Carolina shot. The Tar Heels, who entered the game having won three straight including a tight victory over Clemson, could not replicate the late-game magic they found in the first meeting between these teams.

With the victory, Duke solidified its position as a top seed for the upcoming ACC Tournament and strengthened its case for a seed in the NCAA Tournament. North Carolina will look to regroup and refine its execution as it heads into postseason play, having seen firsthand the level of completeness required to defeat an elite opponent on its home floor. The most important part of the game was undoubtedly Duke’s devastating 19-7 run to open the second half, a sequence that showcased their superior two-way execution and ultimately decided the rivalry showdown.