Duke leads UNC 42-24 at halftime

CHAPEL HILL -- North Carolina has been on a upward trajectory since the middle of February, when it began using a four-guard starting lineup. The Tar Heels entered their game against Duke here on Saturday night on a six-game winning streak, their longest of the season.

UNC, though, is struggling like it did months ago. And the Blue Devils are in the midst of one of their best games.

Duke scored the first 14 points of game and leads UNC 42-24 at halftime here at the Smith Center. After the Blue Devils' initial surge, the Heels never cut Duke's lead into single digits. The Devils made 13 of their first 16 shots from the field, while UNC made just four of its first 16.

Seth Curry, Duke's senior guard, did the most damage. He made his first eight shots of the game - including one while he was falling backwards. Overall, he made eight of his 10 attempts from the field and finished the half with 18 points.

Quinn Cook and Mason Plumlee added eight apiece for the Blue Devils, who shot 69.2 percent from the field. Duke also made five of its nine 3-point attempts.

The Tar Heels defended the perimeter well when these teams played last month in Durham. But that has been an issue for UNC tonight. Both Cook and Curry made two 3s for Duke. UNC, meanwhile, missed all eight of its 3-point attempts during the first half.

The Tar Heels made just nine of their 33 shots from the field (27.3 percent). UNC forced eight turnovers and has nine offensive rebounds, but due its poor shooting it hasn't capitalized on those opportunities.

Duke senior forward Ryan Kelly, who sat out the first game between these teams while he recovered from a broken foot, picked up his third foul just before halftime and hasn't been much of a factor. He played 11 minutes and finished the half with two points.

James Michael McAdoo led UNC with nine points in the first half. None of his teammates scored more than five points.

- Andrew Carter