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

Forward Jae’Lyn Withers moved too early, negating Ven-Allen Lubin’s free-throw attempt and giving Duke the ball back.

The Tar Heels lost a game-tying free throw against rival Duke, which was playing without likely NBA top pick Cooper Flagg, on a lane violation with 4.1 seconds left in their ACC tournament semifinal game. They went on to lose 74-71, ending their final chance to improve a lackluster March Madness résumé.