Withers' lane violation adds improbable twist to UNC's failed comeback against No. 1 Duke in ACCs
Duke celebrates a lane violation call in the final seconds against North Carolina during an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis yells during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Duke in the semifinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
North Carolina forward Jae'Lyn Withers pull a rebound away from Wake Forest forward Efton Reid III during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
North Carolina forward Jae'Lyn Withers pull a rebound away from Wake Forest forward Efton Reid III during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Duke celebrates a lane violation call in the final seconds against North Carolina during an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis yells during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Duke in the semifinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
North Carolina forward Jae'Lyn Withers pull a rebound away from Wake Forest forward Efton Reid III during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina nearly completed a comeback from a 24-point deficit against top-ranked Duke in the ACC tournament, only to see it slip away on the most unusual of mistakes.
With the Tar Heels trailing by one with 4.1 seconds left, Jae'Lyn Withers committed a lane violation to negate Ven-Allen Lubin's tying free throw. The Blue Devils then closed out a 74-71 win in Friday night's semifinals.
Withers, a graduate forward who had helped lead the Tar Heels' final-month surge to revive their NCAA Tournament hopes, stepped into the paint with his right foot as he tried to be ready to get the jump on any potential rebound. The whistle blew for the violation as Lubin's shot dropped through the net.
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The Tar Heels missed a desperation 3-pointer on one final possession, and Withers immediately covered his face with his jersey at the bench in anguish. He later spoke to reporters with coach Hubert Davis standing at his side in a show of support.
Duke won depsite playing without freshman star Cooper Flagg and versatile defender Maliq Brown due to injuries.
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