ACC

Photos: UNC defeats Duke with last-second shot in college basketball rivalry action

By Robert Willett and Ethan Hyman
North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) launches a three-point shot with .4 seconds to play against Duke to win the game 71-68 on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) launches a three-point shot with .4 seconds to play against Duke to win the game 71-68 on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

The Duke-Carolina basketball game is one of the classic (and heated) rivalry games in college basketball.

See photos from the action from News & Observer photojournalists Robert Willett and Ethan Hyman as Duke’s Cameron Boozer goes up against UNC’s Caleb Wilson in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday night, Feb. 7, 2026.

After trailing the whole game, UNC scored on a last second shot to win 71-68 despite an early court-storming by the fans in the Smith Center. Officials put .4 seconds back on the clock and the court was cleared, but Duke could not score.

North Carolina's Seth Trimble (7) celebrates after making the game winning basket in UNC’s 71-68 victory over Duke at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
North Carolina's Seth Trimble (7) celebrates after making the game winning basket in UNC’s 71-68 victory over Duke at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Players mob North Carolina's Seth Trimble (7) after he made the game winning basket in UNC’s 71-68 victory over Duke at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Players mob North Carolina's Seth Trimble (7) after he made the game winning basket in UNC’s 71-68 victory over Duke at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
North Carolina's Seth Trimble (7) celebrates after making the game winning basket in UNC’s 71-68 victory over Duke at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
North Carolina's Seth Trimble (7) celebrates after making the game winning basket in UNC’s 71-68 victory over Duke at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
After clearing the court and allowing Duke one final shot with .4 seconds to play, North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) and his teammate celebrate their 71-68 victory over Duke on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
After clearing the court and allowing Duke one final shot with .4 seconds to play, North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) and his teammate celebrate their 71-68 victory over Duke on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina's Seth Trimble is mobbed by teammates after hitting the game winning three-pointer during UNC’s 71-68 victory over Duke at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
North Carolina's Seth Trimble is mobbed by teammates after hitting the game winning three-pointer during UNC’s 71-68 victory over Duke at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) reacts as fans storm the court, after sinking a three-point shot with .4 seconds to play, to give the Tar Heels a 71-68 victory over Duke on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) reacts as fans storm the court, after sinking a three-point shot with .4 seconds to play, to give the Tar Heels a 71-68 victory over Duke on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) reacts as fans storm the court, after sinking a three-point shot with .4 seconds to play, to give the Tar Heels a 71-68 victory over Duke on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) reacts as fans storm the court, after sinking a three-point shot with .4 seconds to play, to give the Tar Heels a 71-68 victory over Duke on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) reacts as fans storm the court, after sinking a three-point shot with .4 seconds to play, to give the Tar Heels a 71-68 victory over Duke on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) reacts as fans storm the court, after sinking a three-point shot with .4 seconds to play, to give the Tar Heels a 71-68 victory over Duke on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Fans storm the court after North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) scored in the final seconds to lift the Tar Heels 71-68 over Duke on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Fans storm the court after North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) scored in the final seconds to lift the Tar Heels 71-68 over Duke on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) reacts as fans storm the court, after sinking a three-point shot with .4 seconds to play, to give the Tar Heels a 71-68 victory over Duke on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) reacts as fans storm the court, after sinking a three-point shot with .4 seconds to play, to give the Tar Heels a 71-68 victory over Duke on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Duke coach Jon Scheyer and his players try to get off the Smith Center Court following a three-point shot by North Carolina guard Seth Trimble on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Scheyer voiced his disappointment at not being able to get off the court safely at the end of the game once fans stormed the court.
Duke coach Jon Scheyer and his players try to get off the Smith Center Court following a three-point shot by North Carolina guard Seth Trimble on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Scheyer voiced his disappointment at not being able to get off the court safely at the end of the game once fans stormed the court. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Duke coach Jon Scheyer and his players try to get off the Smith Center Court following a three-point shot by North Carolina guard Seth Trimble on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Scheyer voiced his disappointment at not being able to get off the court safely at the end of the game once fans stormed the court.
Duke coach Jon Scheyer and his players try to get off the Smith Center Court following a three-point shot by North Carolina guard Seth Trimble on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Scheyer voiced his disappointment at not being able to get off the court safely at the end of the game once fans stormed the court. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Duke coach Jon Scheyer is surrounded by North Carolina fans who stormed the court following Seth Trimble’s game winning three-point shot with .4 second to play on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Scheyer voiced his disappointment at not being able to get off the court safely at the end of the game.
Duke coach Jon Scheyer is surrounded by North Carolina fans who stormed the court following Seth Trimble’s game winning three-point shot with .4 second to play on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Scheyer voiced his disappointment at not being able to get off the court safely at the end of the game. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina fans celebrate after UNC’s 71-68 victory over Duke at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
North Carolina fans celebrate after UNC’s 71-68 victory over Duke at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Dame Sarr (7) defends North Carolina's Derek Dixon (3) during the first half of Duke’s game against UNC at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Duke’s Dame Sarr (7) defends North Carolina's Derek Dixon (3) during the first half of Duke’s game against UNC at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Patrick Ngongba II (21) fouls North Carolina's Seth Trimble (7) during the first half of Duke’s game against UNC at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Duke’s Patrick Ngongba II (21) fouls North Carolina's Seth Trimble (7) during the first half of Duke’s game against UNC at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
North Carolina's Caleb Wilson (8) shoots as Duke’s Patrick Ngongba II (21) and Cameron Boozer (12) defend during the first half of Duke’s game against UNC at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
North Carolina's Caleb Wilson (8) shoots as Duke’s Patrick Ngongba II (21) and Cameron Boozer (12) defend during the first half of Duke’s game against UNC at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
North Carolina senior Katherine Sullivan used her fingers to cheer on the Tar Heels before Duke’s game against UNC at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
North Carolina senior Katherine Sullivan used her fingers to cheer on the Tar Heels before Duke’s game against UNC at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
North Carolina's Caleb Wilson (8) blocks the shot by Duke’s Cameron Boozer (12) during the first half of Duke’s game against UNC at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
North Carolina's Caleb Wilson (8) blocks the shot by Duke’s Cameron Boozer (12) during the first half of Duke’s game against UNC at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Dame Sarr (7) celebrates hitting a three-pointer during the first half of Duke’s game against UNC at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
Duke’s Dame Sarr (7) celebrates hitting a three-pointer during the first half of Duke’s game against UNC at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke center Patrick Ngongba II (21) puts up a short against North Carolina center Henri Veesaar (13) in the first half on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Duke center Patrick Ngongba II (21) puts up a short against North Carolina center Henri Veesaar (13) in the first half on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina coach Hubert Davis instructs his players in the first half against Duke on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina coach Hubert Davis instructs his players in the first half against Duke on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Duke forward Cameron Boozer (12) drives around North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson (8) in the first half on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Duke forward Cameron Boozer (12) drives around North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson (8) in the first half on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson (8) launches a three-point attempt in the first half against Duke on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson (8) launches a three-point attempt in the first half against Duke on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
North Carolina fans jeer as Duke’s Cameron Sheffield and Jack Scott take to the floor to warmup before Duke’s game against UNC at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
North Carolina fans jeer as Duke’s Cameron Sheffield and Jack Scott take to the floor to warmup before Duke’s game against UNC at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published February 7, 2026 at 7:39 PM.

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Robert Willett
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Robert Willett is an award-winning photojournalist at The News & Observer.
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