VCU stuns UNC with 19-point comeback win in overtime NCAA Tournament upset
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Terrence Hill Jr. When he stepped back and nailed a three-pointer with 15 seconds left in overtime, his No. 11 VCU teammates and coaches looked up, hoping their comeback would finally be worth it.
The ball went through the hoop and the Rams officially erased a 19-point deficit against the North Carolina Tar Heels and stunned the No. 6 seed with an 82-78 overtime victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
UNC couldn’t understand what was happening on the field in Greenville, South Carolina, as they held their fate in their hands in the second half, taking a 19-point lead with 15 minutes left in the game.
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VCU Rams’ Terrence Hill Jr. reacts to a basket in the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
However, with 11 seconds left and the Tar Heels missing free throws left and right, Hill hit a layup to tie the game at 75 points apiece.
The Tar Heels would have breathed a huge sigh of relief if Seth Trimble’s steal with 2.9 minutes left in regulation time had resulted in the game-winning 3-pointer, which had a good look at the net but never touched the basket.
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Instead, they went 0-for-7 in overtime, but the game remained close and VCU couldn’t make shots either. There was 2:08 left in overtime when Nyk Lewis finally made a tough layup to take the lead 77-75.
Trimble regained the tie after being fouled and nearly made a three-point play when his layup expired after being fouled with 35 seconds left. But he could only hit one of his two attempts at the charity stripe, leaving the door open for VCU to take the lead with a bucket.
Jonathan Powell of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts to a first-half play against the VCU Rams in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Scoring 34 points on 13/23 shooting, including 7/10 from three, Hill never missed a goal when the Rams needed it most.
It wasn’t over though, Henri Veesaar was fouled in the opposing lane and sent to the line for two free throws. He had an excellent chance to level the score at 80-78 but missed the first try. That was the end for the Tar Heels, who bowed their heads as the clock reached zero.
This was VCU’s first NCAA Tournament game win since 2016, and they needed to shoot 62%, including 7-of-10 from three in the second half, to take a 47-36 lead over those 20 minutes to force overtime.
Henri Veesaar of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a game against the VCU Rams in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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While High Point’s thrilling win over Wisconsin had been the upset of the day up to that point in the first round, VCU took the honors after a day of action in March Madness.
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