Marcus Paige receives award after breaking school record for most 3-pointers

Paige broke UNC’s all-time 3-point record last Saturday at Texas, so it was fitting he was awarded at Wednesday’s game against Tulane, where previous record-holder Shammond Williams is an assistant coach.

Before Carolina defeated Tulane 96-72, Williams, who played at UNC from ’94-’98, took the court to award Paige with a commemorative basketball.

Paige said: “He just told me that he was proud of me and he was proud of everything, you know, that I tried to do for the program.”

So far, Marcus has made 238 3-pointers in his college career. That number only increased as he hit four 3-pointers against Tulane, and it should continue to grow as he helps lead a talented team in his senior season.

UNC’s 82-84 loss at Texas on Saturday ended in a buzzer-beater with a controversial no-call foul as Paige was slammed to the ground on the last play, allowing an offensive rebound. But the home game against Tulane had no dramatics. The Heels led from wire-to-wire, dominating their first game without starting center Kennedy Meeks.

Senior Joel James started in place of the injured junior. James scored four points and seven rebounds.

With Kennedy out, the Heels fed Brice Johnson the ball in the post more than usual, and Johnson responded with a career-high 25 points. He also hauled in 10 rebounds to record a double-double.

Sophomore Justin Jackson stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

It was a great team win and the team will look to build upon it Saturday when they play No. 22 UCLA. That game will also be the first look at the new black uniforms for the UNC team.