Duke Women's Basketball Edges UNC in Tight Rivalry Matchup

Seniors Jackson and Mair lead No. 11 Duke to 72-68 victory over No. 21 North Carolina

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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In a close game between two ranked ACC women's basketball teams, No. 11 Duke edged out No. 21 North Carolina 72-68 on Sunday. Seniors Ashlon Jackson and Taina Mair each scored 14 points to lead the Blue Devils, who never trailed in the second half despite a late push from the Tar Heels.

Why it matters

This victory extends Duke's winning streak to 16 games and keeps them undefeated in ACC play. The Blue Devils and Tar Heels are long-time rivals, and this matchup had major implications for the conference standings and NCAA Tournament seeding.

The details

After a back-and-forth first half that featured 16 lead changes, Duke led 41-33 at halftime and maintained a slim lead throughout the second half. The Tar Heels got as close as 56-54 late in the third quarter, but the Blue Devils held on for the four-point win. In addition to Jackson and Mair's scoring, Riley Nelson had 13 points and Toby Fournier grabbed 12 rebounds for Duke.

  • The game was played on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
  • Duke and North Carolina will meet again in the regular season finale on March 1, 2026.

The players

Ashlon Jackson

A senior guard for the Duke Blue Devils women's basketball team.

Taina Mair

A senior guard for the Duke Blue Devils women's basketball team.

Ciera Toomey

A player for the North Carolina Tar Heels women's basketball team who scored 14 points in the game.

Indya Nivar

A player for the North Carolina Tar Heels women's basketball team who scored 12 points in the game.

Nyla Brooks

A player for the North Carolina Tar Heels women's basketball team who scored 10 points in the game.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Duke and North Carolina will meet again in the regular season finale on March 1, 2026, which could have major implications for the ACC standings and NCAA Tournament seeding.

The takeaway

This hard-fought rivalry game between two top-25 teams showcased the depth and talent of the ACC women's basketball conference. Duke's ability to hold off a late North Carolina surge demonstrated the Blue Devils' resilience and experience, which could serve them well as they aim for a deep NCAA Tournament run.