In a high-paced and closely contested game, the University of North Carolina (UNC) secured a 10-point lead over Duke University at halftime, with the score at 45-35. UNC's Armando Bacot made a significant impact with 12 points and 7 rebounds in the first half, while Duke's Jeremy Roach led his team with 10 points, shooting 4/6 from the field and 2/2 from three-point range. The game was marked by a fast pace, with a combined 22 shots attempted before the first official timeout and UNC leading 13-8. Duke struggled with turnovers, having six in the first half compared to UNC's one, which did not lead to points. RJ Davis, despite only scoring 4 points for UNC, contributed to the team's lead at the break. Harrison Ingram also played a crucial role for UNC with 3 three-pointers, 11 points, and 6 rebounds in the first half. By the end of the game, Bacot had accumulated 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, leading UNC to a comfortable victory over Duke.
My convo Sunday with @UNC_Basketball Armando Bacot covering a number of topics after the win over @DukeMBB Saturday night: https://t.co/5L4rdzfaMl
Armando Bacot handled business against Duke last night: 🥶 25 PTS 🥶 10 REB 🥶 5 AST @UNC_Basketball @iget_buckets35 https://t.co/nZooZ2rLuG
COLUMN: Armando Bacot had his first 25-10 game in nearly three months, North Carolina handled Duke with few issues and Hubert Davis seems to be having the bounce-back year he needed after last season's disappointment. https://t.co/0dRuhYCpPr
Harrison Ingram's energy and toughness are elements #UNC sorely lacked a year ago. Saturday, they helped catapult the Tar Heels past Duke. And they could make UNC a tough team to beat come March ... https://t.co/DsNbvcEzfc
North Carolina only had one turnover in the first half. Duke had six, which isn't bad, but not good enough in this game. That and the free throw line has been the difference. Heels by 10 at intermission.
Back and Ingram cooking. Contributions from Cadeau to go along with RJ Davis for the Heels have them comfortably up by 10. Duke is going to need something from Filipowski (limping) in the second half. If not, this gonna get ugly.
That have was played to what UNC wants to do. Only surprise is Davis’ 4 points. As for Duke, they can go into halftime saying “coulda been worse!”
It's halftime: UNC 45, Duke 35. https://t.co/O1eXudRJWD
Hubert Davis spoke earlier this week about how he wanted Armando Bacot to get back to last season's production in order for UNC to reach its potential. Tar Heels have made a concerted effort to get him post touches tonight; he's got 12 and 8. UNC leads Duke by 10 at the break.
Halftime: RJ Davis has 4 points and hasn't taken an 3. And yet, UNC is up by 10. That couldn't have gone any better for the Tar Heels had Hubert Davis drawn it up.
With 12 & 8 in the first half, Bacot is etching himself deeper. UNC up 45-35 at the intermission. Roach has 10 to lead Duke. https://t.co/8mlG0zdeqj
UNC threatened to run away with this a few minutes ago. Jared McCain pulled them back. UNC's threatening to do it again. Duke's got one possession left to keep this from being double digits at halftime. Jon Scheyer calls timeout to set it up.
Bacot inside (12 points, 7 rebounds) and Ingram outside (3 3-pointers, 11 points, 6 rebounds), have UNC up 45-35 heading into the final possession of the half.
UNC 34, Duke 28; 3:39 1H. So loud in here it's hard to hear the whistle. Biggest statistical difference thus far: turnovers. UNC with only one (which didn't lead to points), and has scored eight points off Duke's six.
UNC 24, Duke 22; 7:33 1H. Not many whistles, not many media TOs. Will be due for another at the next dead ball. Old guys leading the way. Roach with 10 for Duke. Bacot with 8 for UNC. He hasn't been in double figures since Jan. 20 vs. Boston College (and only w/10, then).
Jeremy Roach: 10 points, 4/6 shooting, 2/2 from 3 Rest of Duke: 12 points, 6/16 shooting, 0/3 from 3 Senior captain carrying the Blue Devils right now, who trail by two with 7:33 left in the first half.
Duke in general and Jeremy Roach specifically have picked it up. Roach has 10 points and a pair of 3-pointers. It's 24-23 UNC.
Blew straight through the under-12 and we're already past the under-8. Racetrack pace here so far. No cheap whistles ... until maybe that one. UNC 24, Duke 22. Two timeouts on two whistles upcoming.
UNC 13, Duke 8; 14:19 1H. Some (mostly) high-level ball early on here. Crowd is electric, #asexpected. UNC with a clear emphasis to get Bacot going early. He has four early, along with Davis. Duke scoreless over the past 2:03.
The pace has been fast and furious so far. UNC showing high intensity on defense. Bacot off to a strong start offensively. Ingram with 5 rebounds already. Tar Heels lead 13-8 at the 1st TV timeout.
Frenetic pace to start here in Chapel Hill. Duke and UNC combined to attempt 22 (!) shots before the first officials timeout. UNC up 13-8 with Bacot going to FT line when play resumes
Jeremy Roach has been in and out of the lineup due to the knee and ankle issues. Starting again tonight for Duke. https://t.co/mvzmzJEljg
Live from Chapel Hill for the latest edition of Duke-UNC. Jeremy Roach, Tyrese Proctor and Jared McCain getting shots up in front of UNC's risers. Refs tonight are Roger Ayers, Ron Groover and Brian O'Connell. https://t.co/YG96snl4ng