UNC collapses late and blows 19-point lead in shocking overtime loss to VCU
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When Terrence Hill Jr. stepped back and launched a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left in overtime, his No. 11 VCU teammates and coaches looked up, hoping his comeback would be worth it in the end.
The ball dropped through the rim and the Rams officially erased a 19-point deficit against the North Carolina Tar Heels, stunning the No. 6 seed with an 82-78 overtime victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Little did UNC know what happened on the court in Greenville, South Carolina, as they had their fate in their hands in the second half when they took a 19-point lead with 15 minutes left in the game.
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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 missing left and right for the Tar Heels, Hill scored a layup that tied the game at 75 apiece.
If only Seth Trimble’s steal with 2.9 left in regulation had resulted in a game-winning 3-pointer, which never touched the rim despite a solid look at the net, the Tar Heels would have breathed a huge sigh of relief.
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Instead, they went 0 for 7 in overtime, although the game remained close and VCU also missed 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 again after being fouled, and nearly made it a three-point play when his layup just missed after being fouled with 35 seconds left on the clock. However, he was only able to hit one of his two attempts at the charity stripe, leaving the door open for VCU to take the lead by 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 scored 34 points on 13 of 23 shooting, including 7 of 10 on three-pointers, did not miss his mark when the Rams needed it most.
Still, the job wasn’t done, as Henri Veesaar was fouled in the other lane and sent to the line for two free throws. With a deficit of 80-78, he had the perfect opportunity to tie, but missed the first attempt. That was the end for the Tar Heels as they hung their heads as the clock hit zero.
It was VCU’s first NCAA tournament 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 score of 47-36 in 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 victory over Wisconsin was the upset of the day up to that point in the first round, VCU took the prize after a day of action in March Madness.
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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for News Digital.