Without Cooper Flagg, Duke got everything it could handle from North Carolina — and an unexpected gift that proved decisive in a 74-71 win.

The prevailing mantra in the aftermath of UNC's emotional loss to Duke: The Tar Heels had done enough to lose long before a costly lane violation with 4.1 seconds left, and yet this was still a team more than deserving of a spot in the NCAA tournament.

After missing the first free throw, he made the second but it was ruled no good after Jae'Lyn Withers committed a lane violation. Duke then sank two free throws to take the 74-71 win and sweeping all three games this season.

Kon Knueppel scored 17 points and No. 1 Duke held off a furious second half rally by North Carolina to beat its rival for the third time this season, 74-71 on Friday night to reach the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament championship game.

CHARLOTTE - Kon Knueppel scored 17 points and No. 1 Duke, playing without star freshman Cooper Flagg, held on after building a 24-point lead, beating North Carolina 74-71 in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament semifinals on Friday night. North Carolina botched a late free-throw situation that could have given it the lead.

Despite the Tar Heels' resilience, the Blue Devils held on to secure their third victory over UNC this season.