Block Helps No. 20 Duke Edge No. 5 UNC 74-73

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Grayson Allen scored 23 points and freshman Derryck Thornton came up with the clinching block on the final play to help No. 20 Duke edge No. 5 North Carolina 74-73 on Wednesday night.

Allen hit a pair of free throws with 1:09 left for the lead on a night when the Blue Devils (20-6, 9-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) trailed most of the way. Then Duke came up with a pair of stops in the final minute, first on a shot attempt inside in traffic by Kennedy Meeks.

Then, on UNC’s final possession, Thornton blocked Joel Berry II’s shot in the lane. Allen rebounded the ball and flung it into the air to let the final seconds expire, and then the players raced to the bench to mob each other and celebrate.

Brice Johnson had 29 points and 19 rebounds in a dominating performance for the Tar Heels (21-5, 10-3).