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North Carolina fans cheer before an NCAA college basketball game against Duke in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, March 5, 2011. Jim R. Bounds, Associated Press
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Duke's Seth Curry, left, and North Carolina's John Henson struggle for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, March 5, 2011. Gerry Broome, Associated Press
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Duke's Mason Plumlee (5) and North Carolina's Harrison Barnes (40) reach for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, March 5, 2011. Gerry Broome, Associated Press
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North Carolina's Leslie McDonald (2) drives to the basket as Duke's Miles Plumlee defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, March 5, 2011. Gerry Broome, Associated Press
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Duke's Seth Curry, foreground, is pressured by North Carolina's Kendall Marshall, rear, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, March 5, 2011. Gerry Broome, Associated Press
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North Carolina's Tyler Zeller (44) dunks against Duke during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, March 5, 2011. Gerry Broome, Associated Press
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Duke's Ryan Kelly (34) is guarded by North Carolina's John Henson during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, March 5, 2011. Gerry Broome, Associated Press

By Associated Press

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Harrison Barnes scored 18 points to help No. 13 North Carolina beat No. 4 Duke 81-67 on Saturday night, clinching the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season championship.

Kendall Marshall had 15 points and 11 assists as the Tar Heels (24-6, 14-2) ended a three-game losing streak to their fierce rival and earned the top seed in next week's ACC tournament. North Carolina also avenged last month's loss at Cameron Indoor Stadium in which the Tar Heels blew a 16-point lead in the first half.

Once again, the Tar Heels built a big lead in the first half, this time 14 points. But Barnes and the Tar Heels protected that margin Saturday and stayed in control the entire night in a game that had tension and energy befitting a postseason game.

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Nolan Smith scored 30 points for Duke (27-4, 13-3), while Seth Curry had 20 points with six 3-pointers.

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