Photos: North Carolina faces Duke in ACC women’s basketball rivalry matchup
By Kaitlin McKeown
North Carolina’s Ciera Toomey blocks a shot by Duke’s Ashlon Jackson during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 74-69 win on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Kaitlin McKeown
kmckeown@newsobserver.com
No. 21 North Carolina defeated No. 12 Duke 74-69 in the teams’ ACC regular-season finale on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. The win is the Tar Heels’ first victory over an AP-ranked team this season.
Sophomore guard Elina Aarinsalo led the Tar Heels in scoring with a career-high 22 points.
The ACC Tournament, which begins Wednesday in Georgia, will feature Duke as the top seed and North Carolina as the No. 3 seed.
North Carolina’s Nyla Harris and Lanie Grant celebrate following the Tar Heels’ 74-69 win over Duke on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Indya Nivar and Duke’s Delaney Thomas scramble for a loose ball during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 74-69 win on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Toby Fournier reacts after missing a basket late in the second half of the Blue Devils’ 74-69 loss to North Carolina on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Toby Fournier is fouled by North Carolina’s Indya Nivar during the second half of the Blue Devils’ 74-69 loss on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Indya Nivar drives to the basket during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 74-69 win over Duke on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Lanie Grant drives against Duke’s Ashlon Jackson during the first half of the Tar Heels’ game on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke head coach Kara Lawson reacts on the sidelines during the second half of the Blue Devils’ 74-69 loss to North Carolina on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Ciera Toomey blocks a shot by Duke’s Ashlon Jackson during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 74-69 win on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina senior Indya Nivar, right, gets a hug from teammate Laila Hull before checking out of the game late in the second half of the Tar Heels’ 74-69 win over Duke on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Indya Nivar and Nyla Harris pressure Duke’s Arianna Roberson during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 74-69 win on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Jordan Wood reacts after a foul was called on North Carolina during the first half of the Blue Devils’ game on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Elina Aaronisalo drives past Duke’s Delaney Thomas during the first half of the Tar Heels’ game on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina head coach Courtney Banghart speaks with an official during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 74-69 win over Duke on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Lanie Grant and Ciera Toomey pressure Duke’s Toby Fournier during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 74-69 win on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Delaney Thomas reacts after drawing a foul during the second half of the Blue Devils’ 74-69 loss to North Carolina on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Nyla Harris drives between Duke’s Riley Nelson and Taina Mair during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 74-69 win on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Duke head coach Kara Lawson talks with her team during a timeout in the first half of the Blue Devils’ 74-69 loss to North Carolina on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Nyla Harris and Nyla Brooks battle Duke’s Arianna Roberson for a rebound during the first half of the Tar Heels’ game on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina head coach Courtney Banghart reacts to a call by an official during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 74-69 win over Duke on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Nyla Harris and Taliyah Henderson celebrate following the Tar Heels’ 74-69 win over Duke on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Nyla Brooks high-fives fans following the Tar Heels’ 74-69 win over Duke on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
This story was originally published March 1, 2026 at 3:06 PM.
