UNC collapses late, blows 19-point lead in shocking overtime loss to VCU

As Terrence Hill Jr. stepped backmost and launched a three-pointer pinch 15 seconds near in overtime, his No. 11 VCU teammates and coaches each looked up successful hopes their comeback was worthy it successful nan end. 

The shot fell done nan hoop, and nan Rams officially erased a 19-point shortage to nan North Carolina Tar Heels, stunning nan No. 6 seed pinch an 82-78 overtime triumph successful nan first information of nan NCAA Tournament. 

UNC couldn’t fathom what transpired connected nan tribunal successful Greenville, South Carolina, arsenic they held their destiny successful their hands successful nan 2nd half erstwhile they took a 19-point lead pinch 15 minutes remaining successful nan game. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Terrence Hill Jr. of nan VCU Rams reacts to a handbasket during nan 2nd half against nan North Carolina Tar Heels successful nan first information of nan 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament astatine Bon Secours Wellness Arena connected March 19, 2026, successful Greenville, South Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

But, pinch 11 seconds near and free throws missed near and correct for nan Tar Heels, Hill poured successful a layup that tied nan crippled astatine 75 apiece. 

If only Seth Trimble’s bargain pinch 2.9 near connected nan regularisation timepiece resulted successful a game-winning three-pointer, which ne'er touched nan rim contempt a coagulated look astatine nan net, nan Tar Heels would’ve fto retired a large sigh of relief. 

HIGH POINT STUNS WISCONSIN IN THE FIRST UPSET OF MARCH MADNESS WITH THRILLING FINISH

Instead, they went 0-for-7 successful other time, though nan crippled remained adjacent pinch VCU besides failing to deed their shots arsenic well. It wasn’t until 2:08 near successful overtime erstwhile Nyk Lewis yet sewage a reliable layup to spell to return a 77-75 lead. 

Trimble would necktie it backmost up aft being fouled, and he almost had a three-point play erstwhile his layup conscionable rimmed retired aft being fouled pinch 35 seconds near connected nan clock. However, he was only capable to deed 1 of his 2 attempts astatine nan kindness stripe, leaving nan doorway unfastened for VCU to return nan lead pinch a bucket. 

Jonathan Powell of nan North Carolina Tar Heels reacts to a play during nan first half against nan VCU Rams successful nan first information of nan 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament astatine Bon Secours Wellness Arena connected March 19, 2026, successful Greenville, South Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Hill, who tallied 34 points connected 13-of-23 shooting, including 7-of-10 from three, didn’t miss his people erstwhile nan Rams needed it most. 

Still, nan occupation wasn’t finished, arsenic Henri Veesaar was fouled successful nan lane connected nan different extremity and sent to nan statement for 2 free throws. With an 80-78 deficit, he had nan cleanable chance to necktie it up, but he missed nan first attempt. That was nan extremity for nan Tar Heels, arsenic they hung their heads erstwhile nan timepiece deed zero. 

It was VCU’s first NCAA Tournament crippled triumph since 2016, and they needed to sprout 62% from nan section successful nan 2nd half, including 7-of-10 from three, to station a 47-36 people crossed those 20 minutes to unit overtime. 

Henri Veesaar of nan North Carolina Tar Heels reacts aft a crippled against nan VCU Rams successful nan first information of nan 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament astatine Bon Secours Wellness Arena connected March 19, 2026, successful Greenville, South Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

While High Point’s thrilling triumph complete Wisconsin was nan upset of nan time to that constituent successful nan first round, VCU’s took nan prize aft 1 time of action successful March Madness.  

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.