CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Duke coach Jon Scheyer said members of his staff were struck as North Carolina fans rushed the court following a dramatic finish Saturday night, and UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham publicly apologized.
No. 14 North Carolina stunned No. 4 Duke 71-68 when Seth Trimble hit a 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds showing. The shot initially appeared to beat the buzzer, prompting a chaotic rush of fans onto the court. Officials reviewed the play, determined there was time remaining, cleared the floor for a final possession, and then the crowd surged again when the clock finally hit zero.
Scheyer said his primary concern after the game was the safety of his players and staff. He said members of his staff “got punched in the face,” and that his family had to push people away while trying to keep players from being trampled. He acknowledged Carolina earned the win, calling it a heartbreaking loss for Duke, but emphasized the need to protect people at the end of games.
Cunningham said he apologized to Scheyer before Scheyer's postgame news conference and acknowledged someone had been injured, though he did not provide specific details. UNC spokesman Kyle Serba told The As
