CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Marcus Paige scored 11 of his 17 points in overtime to help No. 14 North Carolina hold off Davidson 97-85 on Saturday.
Paige missed his first six shots and didn’t score until the 8:17 mark of the second half, but took over late to help the Tar Heels (8-3) bounce back from Wednesday’s loss to Texas and avoid another surprising home defeat.
J.P. Tokoto posted career-highs of 22 points and 11 rebounds to lead North Carolina, which needed two free throws from Paige with 29.3 seconds left to force the extra session. The Tar Heels dominated the extra period, with Paige scoring in the lane to open the overtime and hitting his only 3-pointer of the game moments later to put UNC in control.
Brian Sullivan had career-highs of 33 points and seven 3-pointers for the Wildcats (4-8), who shot just 2-for-10 in overtime to fade late.
Sullivan had a chance to win it in regulation after Paige’s tying free throws but missed a contested 3 over Nate Britt just before the horn. The Tar Heels took over from there, with Paige assisting on Britt’s jumper early in the overtime and hitting two free throws before knocking down the 3 that pushed UNC to an 88-80 lead.