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

Friday had all the makings of a classic win for UNC in a season that can best be described as a disappointment. Then Jae'Lyn Withers stepped over the line — literally. The Tar Heels lost a game-tying free throw against rival Duke,

North Carolina just blew its shot at the ACC Tournament championship game in perhaps the worst way possible. With just 4.1 seconds left in the semifinal matchup against No. 1 seed Duke on Friday, UNC was called for a lane violation on a potential game-tying free throw.

Top-ranked Duke played without Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown for Friday night's win against rival North Carolina in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament because of injuries. The Blue Devils hung on to win 74-71 in the semifinals despite blowing nearly all of a 24-point second-half lead.

Duke star forward Cooper Flagg faces a race against the clock after an ankle injury forced him off in the first half of the Blue Devils’ 78-70 victory over Georgia Tech on Thursday.

Duke and UNC face off in ACC Tournament semifinals, with both teams aiming for victory and NCAA Tournament implications on the line.