WATCH: Onalaska’s Lexi Donarski comes through in OT helping No. 19 North Carolina hold off No. 14 Duke
It wasn’t a pretty game for either team, and Onalaska native Lexi Donarksi managed to hit her only shot when it counted most, to help the 19th-ranked North Carolina women’s basketball team hold on for an overtime win 53-46 against No. 14 Duke.
North Carolina (14-3) made 10 of 14 free throws in overtime, after blowing a 16-point second-half lead.
The two teams combined for 46 turnovers and shot 27.2%.
Down 43-40 with 1:22 remaining in OT, Donarski nailed a step-back 3-pointer, sending the home crowd and her bench into a frenzy.
HER. pic.twitter.com/DcRU5a9uX7
— Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) January 10, 2025
The Tar Heels North (14-3) made just enough free throws after that to pull away and Donarski sealed the win with a steal to end the game.
Always a great day to BEAT DUKE. pic.twitter.com/sxo61v2OmS
— Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) January 10, 2025
Donarski was 1-for-6 from the field, but that one was the 3-pointer. She had two rebounds, an assist and that steal to end the game in 35 minutes, which was third-most on the team.
North Carolina shot 32.1% from the field, but the Blue Devils (12-4) managed to shoot worse — an abysmal 23.5%.
The teams combined to go 6 of 25 from beyond the arc. Duke only hit 10 of 18 free throws, while the Tar Heels went 17-for-25 from the stripe.
The win comes just a few days after NC lost to No. 3 Notre Dame 76-66. The Tar Heels are now 2-3 against Top 25 teams.
They next play at 1 p.m. Sunday against Boston College (10-7).
TOP PHOTO: North Carolina’s Lexi Donarski holds up the 3-point sign, after hitting the game-tying shot late in overtime aginst No. 14 Duke (PHOTO: @uncwbb on Twitter)