Diamond “Double-D” DeShields is having a remarkable freshman season at UNC and scored a career-high 30 points Monday night. The scoring outburst came in DeShields’ first trip to No. 3 ranked Duke’s home court and resulted in a much-needed 89-78 win. The victory was UNC’s first at Cameron Indoor Stadium since 2008 and more importantly was the turnaround needed from a three-game losing streak that DeShields and the Tar Heels faced heading into the final eight games of their regular season. DeShields also became the first to score 30 points against Duke since 2009. DeShields, who wears Michael Jordan’s No. 23 in her Carolina blue has revived a rivalry that has been owned by Duke lately and joined the history of great performances in the “Battle for Tabacco Road”.
“I will never forget this,” DeShields told ESPN’s Mechelle Voepel following the game. “I’m so happy I got a chance to play here, and do it with my teammates and win here. I’m proud to be a part of the history that’s come through Cameron Indoor.”
DeShields won the Naismith award for most outstanding player in the nation during her senior year at Norcross (2013) and the 6-foot-1 guard has lived up to the hype and helped pace the Tar Heels to an 18-6 start this season. DeShields won three state titles during her time at Norcross and would continuously perfect her all-world skillset that included a lethal deep shot by her senior season with the Blue Devils.
DeShields’ game-high 30 points came on 12-of-20 shooting and included a shooting clinic from beyond the arc with five made three-pointers. UNC will host Duke on Sunday, March 2 in the final game before the ACC tournament. The game tips off at 1 p.m. on ESPN.
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