Duke vs. UNC score, highlights: Caleb Love, Tar Heels take down Blue Devils in Final Four thriller

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Jordan Greer
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Caleb Love shoots over Mark Williams
(Getty Images)

Saturday night's Final Four contest between Duke and North Carolina didn't just live up to the hype — it exceeded it.

The Tar Heels emerged victorious in an exciting battle that featured 18 lead changes, capturing an 81-77 win to advance to the national championship game. Caleb Love led the way for UNC, scoring 28 points on 11-of-20 shooting, including multiple clutch buckets down the stretch.

The Blue Devils' loss brought an end to coach Mike Krzyzewski's illustrious career. In the Coach K era, Duke compiled a 50-50 overall record against North Carolina.

"They played an outstanding game. I thought both teams played their hearts out," Krzyzewski told TBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson. "It's an emotional win, and it's an emotional loss. And that's the way a game like this should be."

The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights from Duke vs. North Carolina on Saturday. Check out the complete results from the Final Four game right here.

MORE: Watch college basketball live with Sling TV

Duke vs. UNC score

  H1 H2 F
Duke 37 40 77
UNC 34 47 81

Duke vs. UNC live updates, highlights from Final Four game

(All times Eastern)

Final: UNC 81, Duke 77

11:05 p.m. — The Tar Heels survive, and they're going to the national championship game. What an incredible showing from both teams.

11 p.m. — CALEB LOVE HAS ICE IN HIS VEINS.

10:55 p.m. — Wow. What a wild game. These teams are BATTLING. There have been three lead changes in the last minute. Duke 74, UNC 73 with 1:18 remaining.

10:50 p.m. — Duke 67, UNC 67 with 3:32 on the clock. We've got drama, folks.

10:45 p.m. — After limping off the floor with what appeared to be a right ankle injury, Armando Bacot is coming back into the game. He didn't put much weight on that foot initially, but he's moving a little bit better now.

10:40 p.m. — Foul trouble update...

  • Duke: Theo John (four), Mark Williams (four)
  • UNC: RJ Davis (four), Armando Bacot (three), Leaky Black (three), Brady Manek (three)

10:30 p.m. — A nice defensive play by Paolo Banchero, but he attempts to save the ball under UNC's basket and... yikes.

10:25 p.m. — Back and forth we go. The intensity has definitely kicked up a notch this half. Duke 55, North Carolina 55 with 10:50 left in regulation.

10:10 p.m. — After Duke jumps out to a seven-point lead, North Carolina responds with an 11-0 run. The Tar Heels are feeling the energy inside the Superdome.

Halftime: Duke 37, UNC 34

9:45 p.m. — Jeremy Roach finishes through contact and sinks the free throw to give Duke a three-point lead.

9:40 p.m. — RJ Davis has scored 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field. That pull-up jumper? Very smooth.

9:35 p.m. — Huge call. Theo John picks up his fourth foul. Mike Krzyzewski clearly wanted an offensive foul to be called on Armando Bacot, but John appeared to make contact with Bacot first.

9:25 p.m. — And now Theo John has three fouls. Armando Bacot is dominating the boards for UNC. He's got five points and eight rebounds so far in the first half.

9:20 p.m. — Not easy to stop the 6-10, 250-pound train when it's coming down the tracks.

9:10 p.m. — Paolo Banchero. No hesitation. Splash.

9:05 p.m. — That's two fouls on Mark Williams. Let's see if North Carolina attacks the paint with Duke's best rim protector off the floor.

9 p.m. — A rough start for both teams. Duke and North Carolina have missed 11 of their first 14 field goal attempts. Here's one of the makes, courtesy of Leaky Black:

8:50 p.m. — The starters for each team ...

  • Duke: Jeremy Roach, Wendell Moore Jr., AJ Griffin, Paolo Banchero, Mark Williams
  • UNC: RJ Davis, Caleb Love, Leaky Black, Brady Manek, Armando Bacot

Duke vs. UNC start time

  • Date: Saturday, April 2
  • Time: 8:49 p.m. ET

Duke vs. North Carolina is scheduled to tip off at 8:49 p.m. ET. The Final Four game will be played at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

What channel is Duke vs. UNC on today?

  • TV channel: TBS
  • Live stream: NCAA March Madness Live, Sling TV

College basketball fans can watch Duke vs. North Carolina on TBS. The network will also air Kansas vs. Villanova on Saturday.

Final Four schedule 2022

Saturday, April 2 (national semifinals)

Game Time (ET) TV channel
No. 1 Kansas 81, No. 2 Villanova 65 6:09 p.m. TBS
No. 8 North Carolina 81, No. 2 Duke 77 8:49 p.m. TBS

Monday, April 4 (national championship game)

Game Time (ET) TV channel
No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 8 North Carolina 9:20 p.m. TBS
Author(s)
Jordan Greer Photo
Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.