Seth Trimble hits late 3 to lift No. 14 UNC past No. 4 Duke 71-68 in stunning rivalry finish

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North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) celebrates with teammates and fans after he hit a 3-point basket in the closing seconds for the go-ahead goal during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Duke, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) celebrates with fans after an NCAA college basketball game against Duke, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward) — North Carolina guard Seth Trimble (7) celebrates with teammates and fans after he hit a 3-point basket in the closing seconds for the go-ahead goal during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Duke, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

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7:52 PM on Saturday, February 7

By AARON BEARD

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Seth Trimble made a corner 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left to lift No. 14 North Carolina past No. 4 Duke 71-68 in a stunning finish Saturday night, which included fans storming the court prematurely before having to clear out for the Blue Devils to get one desperate final play.

Trimble's shot on the catch off a feed from Derek Dixon swished cleanly through the net with apparently no time left, sending the Tar Heels rushing onto the court to celebrate followed closely by the fans at a frantic, ear-ringing roar. But a review determined there was still 0.4 seconds left, prompting the Smith Center's public-address announcer to repeatedly tell fans to clear the court.

Once they did, Duke had a final chance, but Isaiah Evans couldn't get a clean handle on the long inbound pass to near halfcourt to get off a tying shot to end it — prompting another court-storming that stuck this time.

It capped a night in which UNC trailed by 13 in the second half and never led until Trimble's final shot.

Caleb Wilson scored 23 points to lead the Tar Heels (19-4, 7-3 Atlantic Coast Conference), while big man Henri Veesaar had all 13 of his points after halftime — including a tying 3-pointer with 1:40 left. Trimble had 16 points.

Cameron Boozer had 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Blue Devils (21-2, 10-1), but missed a drive against Veesaar in the final 20 seconds of a tie game to set up Trimble's winner.

Trimble's shot ended Duke's 10-game winning streak. It also gave the rivalry another memorable buzzer-beater on par with Austin Rivers' winning 3 here in 2012.

Up next

Duke: At Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.

UNC: At Miami on Tuesday night.

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