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North Carolina women's basketball beats Duke in top-25 matchup
Elina Aarnisalo's career-high 22 points lead the No. 21 Tar Heels past the No. 12 Blue Devils
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
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Elina Aarnisalo scored a career-high 22 points, including three 3-pointers in the third quarter, to help No. 21 North Carolina defeat No. 12 Duke 74-69 on Sunday. Nyla Harris added 19 points and seven rebounds for the Tar Heels, who outrebounded the Blue Devils 45-33 and outscored them 20-10 at the free throw line. Ashlon Jackson had 17 points and Riley Nelson scored 13 for Duke, who had already clinched at least a share of the ACC title.
Why it matters
This was an important ACC matchup between two ranked women's basketball teams. North Carolina's victory over their in-state rival Duke could have implications for seeding in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, while Duke's second loss in three games raises questions about their momentum heading into postseason play.
The details
North Carolina trailed by two at halftime, but Aarnisalo's hot shooting in the third quarter helped the Tar Heels take the lead. After Duke briefly regained the lead late in the fourth quarter, Aarnisalo and Harris led an 8-1 run to seal the win for North Carolina. The Tar Heels dominated the glass and made the most of their trips to the free throw line.
- The game was played on Sunday, March 2, 2026.
The players
Elina Aarnisalo
A North Carolina player who scored a career-high 22 points, including three 3-pointers in the third quarter, to lead the Tar Heels to victory.
Nyla Harris
A North Carolina player who scored 19 points and grabbed 7 rebounds for the Tar Heels.
Ashlon Jackson
A Duke player who scored 17 points with five 3-pointers in the losing effort.
Riley Nelson
A Duke player who scored 13 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
The takeaway
This game highlighted the competitive nature of the ACC women's basketball landscape, with two ranked teams battling it out. North Carolina's ability to control the boards and get to the free throw line proved to be the difference, as they handed Duke their second loss in three games.
