UNC men's basketball upends No. 2 Maryland, 89-81, in Paige's return

After being sidelined with a hand injury for the North Carolina men’s basketball team’s first six games of the season, Marcus Paige made an immediate impact in his return.

In the Tar Heels’ biggest game so far this season, the senior guard led his team with 20 points, as No. 9 UNC upset No. 2 Maryland 89-81 in Tuesday’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge contest at the Smith Center.

Paige recorded an assist and then a made 3-pointer on the first two possessions for the Tar Heels, who pushed their lead to 13 points with 7:16 remaining in the first half. But the Terrapins (6-1) hung around.

After entering halftime down 41-35, Maryland made five 3-pointers in the first 6:20 of the second half, capped by a four-point play by sophomore guard Melo Trimble to give the Terrapins their first lead of the night at 59-58.

But as he did throughout the second half, Paige responded, draining a 3-pointer on UNC’s next possession.

The Terrapins didn’t seize the lead again for the remainder of the contest, as Paige scored 13 second-half points to help the Tar Heels (6-1) earn the win.

Quotable

“I miss having them around regardless. They’re a big-time basketball team. (Maryland coach Mark) Turgeon is one of my favorite people in the world. I think he does a great job with his club. That had a feel of an old ACC Tournament game; that had the feel of an ACC Tournament game; that had the feel of a NCAA Tournament game. It was just fortunate for us it was in our building.” — Coach Roy Williams on Tuesday’s game against former ACC foe Maryland.

Notable

North Carolina entered Tuesday’s game allowing opponents to shoot 37.8 percent on 3-pointers, which was tied for 287th nationally. The Terrapins took advantage of this, making 12 3-pointers in the contest.

The Tar Heels shot a season-high 53.2 percent from the field on Tuesday, as UNC shot better than 50 percent from the floor in both halves for the first time this season.

With Tuesday’s win, UNC has now won each of its past nine games against Maryland and 15 of the past 19.

Three numbers that matter

22: After lacking defensive intensity through their first six games, the Tar Heels forced 22 turnovers on Tuesday, leading to 21 points. Of those 22 turnovers, 13 were steals.

69.2: UNC entered the contest shooting 32.1 percent from behind the arc and having made 5.7 3-pointers per game this season. But behind a 4-for-5 effort from Paige, North Carolina shot 69.2 percent from distance and made a season-high nine 3-pointers.

34: In his return to the court, Paige played a team-high 34 minutes on Tuesday. After the game, he said he didn’t feel any pain in his right hand and the protective padding he wore on it didn’t bother him.

What’s next?

The Tar Heels host Davidson at 6 p.m. on Sunday at the Smith Center. The game will be televised on ESPNU.

@patjames24

sports@dailytarheel.com