DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 9 (UPI) -- J.J. Redick scored 18 points Wednesday night and No. 8 Duke survived a late-game collapse to edge second-ranked North Carolina, 71-70.
The thrilling duel between the old rivals left them tied atop the Atlantic Coast Conference with 8-2 records.
Duke took a 67-58 lead with 5:18 to play on a three-pointer by Redick, but the Tar Heels then went on a 12-4 run that brought them within a point.
North Carolina's Rashad McCants made it 71-70 with a layup at the 51-second mark, but neither team could score the rest of the way.
With the shot clock running down, Redick attempted a three-pointer with 17 seconds to play. That failed and North Carolina had a final chance. The Tar Heels, however, botched the opportunity and wound up losing the ball in the closing seconds.
DeMarcus Nelson added 16 points for Duke (18-2 for the season) while Sean May led North Carolina (19-3) with 23 points and 18 rebounds.
