Marcus Paige Lifts Tar Heels over Virginia Tech: 72-60

Freshman Marcus Paige continues to improve as the season moves along for the North Carolina Tar Heels and today was a career day for the young point guard.

Feb 2, 2013; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) scores in overtime. The Tar Heels defeated the Hokies 72-60 at the Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

It was the offensive efforts of Paige that gave the Tar Heels the momentum in overtime to defeat the Virginia Tech Hokies. Paige scored a career high of nineteen points, five rebounds, five assists, and a steal. Twelve points of his nineteen came from behind the arc where Paige is really developing a good shot.

[Earlier: UNC Staff Writers Wanted]

The James Michael McAdoo we saw in the NCAA Tournament last season made a brief appearance. Playing with emotion and intensity, McAdoo put up a double-double with 22 points and ten rebounds. This was McAdoo’s first game with 20+ points since the season opening game against Gardner-Webb.

The now 2-6 (in ACC play) Hokies put up a fight against North Carolina today. The Hokies led the game until the near 10-minutes mark in the second half when North Carolina grabbed their first lead of the game.

North Carolina’s 12 points victory would be the biggest lead the Tar Heels had all game.

[Related: ACC Wants Basketball Tournament in New York]

For Virginia Tech, Erick Green led the Hokies with sixteen points, six rebounds, and four assists.

North Carolina is now 15-6 overall and 5-4 in the ACC. If NC State is on the losing end of their game against Miami that will put North Carolina right back in the thick of the ACC standings.

UNC will host big four rival Wake Forest on Tuesday night in the Dean Smith Center.