By R.L. Bynum

NEW ORLEANS — The tensions, the heart palpitations and anxiety just kept pulsating through fans during the last thrilling final minutes of North Carolina’s historic 81–77 victory over No. 9 Duke on Saturday night at the Superdome at the Final Four in the second national semifinal.

In some of the most scintillating final minutes of a game in Carolina basketball history, the lead changed six times in the last 4:36 and the Tar Heels ended the coaching career of Mike Krzyzewski.

Read and watch how the final tense minutes played out after the last television timeout:

—      3:32 remaining: Paolo Banchero makes one of two free-throw attempts after Armando Bacot picks up his fourth foul

68–67, Duke

—      3:03: Caleb Love scores on a drive with a twisting layup past Mark Williams.

69–68, UNC

—      2:07: Trevor Keels sinks a 3-pointer from the left wing.

71–70, Duke

—      1:41: Leaky Black drives the lane and pitches back to Brady Manek, who makes a 3-pointer with Banchero’s hand in his face.

73–71, UNC

—      1:20: Wendell Moore Jr. hits step-back 3-pointer from the top of the key.

Duke, 74–73

—      1:01: RJ Davis makes both free throw attempts

UNC 75–74

—      46.7 seconds: Bacot fouls out but Williams misses both free-throw attempts.

UNC 75–74  

—      25: Love comes off a high screen from Leaky Black to get past Keels and drains a huge 3-pointer over Williams.

UNC 78–74

—      19: Jeremy Roach scores quickly on a driving layup past Davis.

UNC 78–76

—      17.4: Love makes the first end of a one-and-one but misses the second.

UNC 79–76

—      10.4: Keels makes the first free throw of a two-shot opportunity but misses the second.

UNC 79–77

—      8: Love makes both free-throw attempts.

UNC 81–77

—      4: Keels misses 3-point attempt, rebounded by Davis.

Carolina wins 81–77

UNC 81, No. 9 Duke 77

Photo via @UNC_Basketball