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Game Grades: North Carolina Tar Heels lose a close one to Duke

ByDaniel Tran|

The North Carolina Tar Heels came back from a first-half deficit to take the lead in the second half, only to lose the lead at the end of regulation and lost the game in overtime to ACC rival Duke.

MVP: Brice Johnson was a beast tonight.  J.P. Totoko was getting props from the announcers most of the night, but it was Johnson who was doing the dirty work down low, putting a body on Jahlil Okafor at times and ended up leading the team in scoring.  Had he not fouled out in overtime, the foul-tip situation at the end of the game might have ended differently.

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LVP: Marcus Paige was nearly non-existent for the entire game and a complete non-factor at the end of regulation and in overtime.  In the biggest game so far this season, the North Carolina Tar Heels needed their best player to step up and lead their team to victory.  Paige instead faded to the background when his team needed him most.

Stat of the Night: 62 points in the paint.  A very impressive number against a team that is well coached and has one of the biggest, most talented centers in all of the country.  Kennedy Meeks and Brice Johnson were incredibly efficient in the paint, getting tough scores with the Duke defense draped all over them.

The Starters

The Bench

Next: Game Grades: Duke rally for dramatic win

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