Reigan Richardson's big 3rd quarter propels No. 16 Duke women past No. 8 North Carolina 68-53
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Reigan Richardson scored 13 of her 23 points in the third quarter to help No. 16 Duke beat eighth-ranked rival North Carolina 68-53 on Thursday night.
Freshman Toby Fournier added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Blue Devils (22-7, 13-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) after missing all eight of her shots in last month's loss to UNC.
Freshman Lanie Grant had 17 points for the Tar Heels (25-5, 13-4), who were the nation's only unbeaten road team at 9-0 before Thursday.
Both teams are chasing a top-four seed in next week's ACC Tournament and the double-round bye that goes with it. They're also pursuing a chance to host opening-weekend games in the NCAA Tournament; the selection committee had both teams positioned to do so as regional 3 seeds in its latest projections, released shortly before tipoff.
Takeaways
UNC: The Tar Heels had won seven straight and 12 of 13, but this one got away in the third. They were again missing injured fifth-year forward Alyssa Ustby, while guard Reniya Kelly — averaging 15.5 points in her last eight games — was an unexpected scratch.
Duke: After losing two of three, the Blue Devils regrouped and made a case for higher March seeding.
Key moment
Richardson had a run of three straight scoring possessions, with two 3-pointers. She had another 3 during an 11-0 run to end the period, which was capped by Ashlon Jackson's long straightaway 3 shortly before the horn for a 52-41 lead.
Key stat
UNC had more turnovers (10) than points (nine) in the third, while Duke had 11 of its 25 points off turnovers in the quarter.
Up next
Both teams close the regular season Sunday. The Tar Heels host Virginia while the Blue Devils visit No. 24 Florida State.
___
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
LSU's Kim Mulkey Sends Message to Flau'jae Johnson After Career Announcement
LSU's Kim Mulkey Sends Message to Flau'jae Johnson After Career Announcement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Flau'Jae Johnson is not only a star basketball player for the LSU Tigers. She is also a multi-talented woman. Advertisement Over the last three years, she has helped lead the Tigers to the Elite Eight round of the women's NCAA Tournament. As a freshman during the 2022-23 season, she teamed with Angel Reese, who is now with the WNBA's Chicago Sky, to guide LSU to the national championship with a win over Caitlin Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes. Johnson is also a rapper who has appeared on "America's Got Talent" and "The Rap Game." She has released three albums, and on Friday, her new single, named "Remember When," dropped. Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey took to X to congratulate Johnson. "Proud of you @Flaujae 💜🤍💛," Johnson wrote. Johnson, who is originally from Georgia and also played baseball as a kid, averaged 11.0 points and 5.9 rebounds a game as a freshman at LSU. Last season, she put up 18.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 steals a game while shooting 46.8% from the field and 38.3% from 3-point range. Advertisement The 5-foot-10 guard was named to the All-SEC first team this past season. She had the opportunity to declare herself eligible for this year's WNBA draft, but she decided to instead remain at LSU for her senior season. LSU Tigers guard Flau'Jae Johnson (4) drives to the basket at Florida Gators guard Jeriah Warren (20) Matt Pendleton: Imagn Images She has already signed with Unrivaled, a women's pro three-on-three basketball league. She has a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with the league, and she, along with Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings, has ownership equity as part of that NIL deal. Related: Paige Bueckers' Former Teammate Sends Message After Career Move This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
8 hours ago
- USA Today
UNC wide receiver speaks on staying in Chapel Hill with Bill Belichick arrival
UNC wide receiver speaks on staying in Chapel Hill with Bill Belichick arrival Will Jordan Shipp become one of Bill Belichick's top offensive producers this fall? The transfer portal dictates how college football rosters are shaped today, with UNC being a prime example heading into its 2025 season. North Carolina replaced its entire starting defensive line through the portal, headlined by names like Pryce Yates and CJ Mims. The Tar Heels also snagged several offensive linemen in the portal, likely starting quarterback Gio Lopez, a pair of star linebackers and top-ranked cornerback Thaddeus Dixon. Add in coaching changes – and roster loyalty dwindles even further. UNC hired 8-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick to be its head coach in December, hoping to bring a consistent winning culture to Chapel Hill. Expected 2025 starters for North Carolina transferred out of Chapel Hill, but several guys stayed. One key player who decided to stay a Tar Heels is sophomore wide receiver Jordan Shipp, who caught nine passes for 114 yards and a touchdown in 2024. Shipp recently spoke on his decision to stay. "It's hard to transfer from a school that you love so much," Shipp told the media. "I've had a lot of friends that came here, a lot of friends that have been successful here – and it's also hard to leave the greatest coach of all time. Knowing you have one of the greatest coaches of all time coming here, it wouldn't have been smart for me to leave.' With no J.J. Jones or Nate McCollum, expect to see Shipp earn starting minutes in 2025. Joining Shipp in the wideout room are Michigan State transfer Aziah Johnson, Colorado transfer Adrian Wilson and Washington transfer Jason Robinson Jr., while the likes of Javarius Green, Chris Culliver and Paul Billups are 2024 holdovers. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
9 hours ago
- USA Today
Bill Belichick speaks on Max Johnson's recovery during June media availability
Bill Belichick speaks on Max Johnson's recovery during June media availability Can Max Johnson overcome the odds and start one final season of college football? The UNC football program made one of college football's top additions ahead of its 2024 season, snagging quarterback Max Johnson in the transfer portal. Needing a Drake Maye replacement, North Carolina found its answer in the former LSU and Texas A&M starter. The Tar Heels also carried Conner Harrell on their roster, but Johnson's experience was too much for a bench role. During UNC's 2024 opener, a 19-17 win against Minnesota that came down to a missed field goal, an injury cut Johnson's season short. No one knew what injury Johnson initially suffered during the game, but reports later revealed a broken right leg. Johnson returns for one final season in 2025. On Tuesday during media availability at the Kenan Football Center in Chapel Hill, Tar Heels first-year head coach Bill Belichick delivered an update on Johnson's rehab – and it's a promising one. "Max is doing, doing very well," Belichick said. "His rehab has been long, and I have a lot of admiration for him. It tough injury, but nobody's worked harder than he has, and he certainly is able to do a lot more than he was last spring. So we'll see exactly where he is when things start, but it's a whole lot closer, and we certainly expect to see him out there. So it's been very encouraging." Johnson struggled against Minnesota's defense during the August 2024 season-opener, completing just 12-of-19 passes for 71 yards and throwing an interception, but Johnson did score North Carolina's lone touchdown on a 3-yard scramble. There will be an intense competition for UNC's starting QB job this season. The Tar Heels paid $4 million – over two years – in NIL money to land South Alabama's Gio Lopez, while also recruiting 4-star Bryce Baker out of Kernersville, N.C. Will Johnson enter his final season of college football as North Carolina's starter? His success at past stops points to yes, but that answer depends on Johnson's recovery. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
