DeShields leads young Tar Heels over favored Blue Devils

A young North Carolina Tar Heel women’s team went into Duke and came away with an impressive 89-78 upset over the Blue Devils.

Diamond DeShields.
Diamond DeShields.
UNC freshman Diamond DeShields, who feigned a yawn at the Cameron Crazies, delivered with season-high 30 points. She was hot from the outside (five threes) as was the entire Carolina team, which averages five threes a game but which got 12 threes in this one.

It was the first time the Tar Heels have won at Duke in six years and it broke a seven-game win streak by the Blue Devils.

The Tar Heels led by nine at then half but had to answer several Blue Devils runs, including one where Duke trailed by just one and had the ball. Every time Duke made a run, Carolina quickly answered with a three or a two and a foul.

Three freshman started the game against the experienced Blue Devils.

“We’re freshmen by age and academic level I guess but we’re not freshmen in basketball. That’s just our mindset,” DeShields said. “No team wants to get beat by a bunch of freshmen.”

DeShields said it was an incredible environment. “I’ll never forget this game. Gosh, I’m overwhelmed. I’m so proud.”

Carolina had lost three straight ACC games by a total of 11 points. The Tar Heels improve to 18-6 and 6-4 in the ACC while the Blue Devils fall to 22-3 and 9-2 in the league.

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