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As Terrence Hill Jr. stepped back and launched a three-pointer with 15 seconds left in overtime, No. 11 VCU’s teammates and coaches all looked up in hopes that their comeback was worth it in the end.
The ball dropped, and the Rams officially erased a 19-point deficit to the North Carolina Tar Heels, the surprising No. 6 seed with an 82-78 overtime victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
UNC could not understand what happened on the field in Greenville, South Carolina, as it held its future in its hands in the second half when it led by 19 points with 15 minutes left in the game.
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Terrence Hill Jr. of the VCU Rams drives the 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)
But, with 11 seconds left and free throws being missed left and right by the Tar Heels, Hill made a layup that tied the game at 75-1.
If only Seth Trimble’s steal with 2.9 left on the regulation clock had led to the game-winning three-pointer, which never touched the rim despite a good look at the net, the Tar Heels would have pulled off a huge relief.
HIGH POINT WISCONSIN THRILLS START OF MARCH MADNESS WITH EXCITING FINISH
Instead, they went 0-for-7 in overtime, though the game remained close and VCU also failed to hit its shots. It wasn’t until 2:08 left in overtime when Nyk Lewis finally got a tough layup to take a 77-75 lead.
Trimble would tie it after a foul, and almost made a three-point play when his layup ended after a foul with 35 seconds left on the clock. However, he was able to hit one of his two attempts at the line, leaving the door open for VCU to take the lead with a bucket.
Jonathan Powell of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts during the first half 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)
Hill, who scored 34 points on 13-of-23 shooting, including 7-of-10 from three, didn’t miss his mark when the Rams needed it most.
Still, the job wasn’t done, as Henri Veesaar was fouled in the lane on the other end and sent to the line for two free throws. With an 80-78 deficit, he had a good chance to tie it, but missed the first attempt. It was the end for the Tar Heels, as they hung their heads as the clock struck zero.
It was VCU’s first NCAA Tournament game win since 2016, and they needed to shoot 62% from the field in the second half, including 7 of 10 from three, to post a 47-36 lead in those 20 minutes to force overtime.
Henri Veesaar of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after the 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 was the upset of the day up until that point in the first round, VCU took home the award after just one day of action in March Madness.
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