NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
As Terrence Hill Jr. stepped back and drilled a three-pointer with 15 seconds left in overtime, his teammates and coaches at No. 11 VCU all looked up in hopes that their comeback would be worth it in the end.
The ball went through the hoop and the Rams officially erased a 19-point deficit to the North Carolina Tar Heels, stunning the No. 6 seed with an 82-78 overtime victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
UNC couldn’t understand what happened on the court in Greenville, South Carolina, as they held their destiny in their hands in the second half when they took a 19-point lead with 15 minutes left in the game.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Terrence Hill Jr. of the VCU Rams reacts to a basket during 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 missed left and right for the Tar Heels, Hill made a layup that tied the game at 75 apiece.
If only Seth Trimble’s steal with 2.9 left in the regulation clock had resulted in a game-winning three-pointer, which never hit the rim despite a solid look at the net, the Tar Heels would have breathed a big sigh of relief.
HIGH POINT AMAZES WISCONSIN IN FIRST MOVE OF MARCH MADNESS WITH EXCITING END
Instead, they went 0 of 7 in overtime, although the game remained close, with VCU also failing to make its shots. It wasn’t until 2:08 left in overtime that Nyk Lewis finally hit a tough layup to take a 77-75 lead.
Trimble tied it after being fouled, and he almost had a three-point play when his layup just finished after being fouled with 35 seconds left. However, he only made one of his two charity attempts, leaving the door open for VCU to take the lead with a bucket.
Jonathan Powell of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts to a play 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 had 34 points on 13-of-23 shooting, including 7-of-10 from three, didn’t miss when the Rams needed him most.
Still, the job wasn’t done, as Henri Veesaar was fouled in the lane at the other end and sent to the line for two free throws. With a deficit of 80-78, he had the perfect opportunity to tie, but he missed the first attempt. That was the end for the Tar Heels, who hung their heads as the clock hit zero.
It was VCU’s first NCAA Tournament win since 2016, and they needed to shoot 62 percent from the field in the second half, including 7 of 10 from three, to go 47-36 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)
While High Point’s thrilling victory over Wisconsin was the surprise of the day up to that point in the first round, VCU took home the prize after a day of March Madness action.
