UNC Basketball: Best Games of 2014-2015 So Far
By Ryan Love
Jan 14, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) drives to the basket past North Carolina State Wolfpack forward Abu Abdul-Malik (0) during the second half at PNC Arena. The Tarheels won 81-79. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
#2: 81-79 win at NC State
On January 14, the Tar Heels traveled walked into the hostile environment of PNC Arena in Raleigh to take part in another classic UNC-NC State rivalry clash. Just like last season’s game, this one did not disappoint. Marcus Paige was the star of the night once again with 23 points, nine assists, and no turnovers. Paige and the Tar Heels shot the lights out in front of the rowdy crowd at NC State, Paige going 5-for-5 from 3-point range, and the team shooting 56 percent from the floor.
NC State brought their A-game late in the second half to tighten the game up after UNC had led by as much as 11 with under five minutes to go. What NC State did in the second half was very impressive as J.P. Tokoto had bottled up Wolfpack star, Trevor Lacey, all night long. If it weren’t for a couple of botched free throws by the Wolfpack, and made free throws by Paige, this game would’ve matched last season’s overtime thriller, as it nearly matched it with the great crowd and momentum swings.