GREENVILLE, N.C. — Terrence Hill Jr. sank a step-back three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining in overtime, as 11th-seeded VCU clawed back from a 19-point second-half disadvantage to astonishingly defeat sixth-seeded North Carolina 82-78 on Thursday evening during the opening round of the NCAA tournament.
Hill concluded the game hitting 7 of 10 attempts from beyond the arc and contributed 20 of his 34 total points following the intermission, marking VCU’s (28-7) initial victory in the NCAA tournament since 2016.
This represented the biggest rally in the NCAA tournament since 2018, a year when Nevada overcame a 22-point deficit to triumph over Cincinnati in the Round of 32. In its entirety, this tied for the seventh-greatest comeback triumph in the tournament’s annals.
Nyk Lewis contributed an additional 16 points, which featured two pivotal free throws that clinched the contest for the Rams, who are scheduled to meet the victor between No. 14 Penn and No. 3 Illinois in Saturday’s second round.
Henri Veesaar accumulated 26 points and 10 boards for the Tar Heels (25-8), a team that suffered an 0-3 record since their key player, Caleb Wilson, was sidelined for the remainder of the season due to an injury. The Tar Heels’ record in the Round of 64 now stands at 33-4, having incurred defeats in three of their preceding five matchups stretching back to 2021.
During the extra period, Seth Trimble converted one of two foul shots with 35 seconds on the clock, giving the Tar Heels a 78-77 advantage.
However, Hill sank his vital shot from beyond the arc from above the top of the key, affording VCU an 80-78 lead.
Veesaar drew a foul with 4.2 seconds remaining, yet failed to convert the first of his two foul shots. He then had to attempt to carom the second shot off the hoop, but misfired, and VCU gained possession beneath North Carolina’s hoop.
Lewis was then fouled and successfully made two free throws, securing the victory.
North Carolina established a 19-point advantage as 15 minutes remained, prior to VCU’s furious rally, leveling the score at 75 with 11 seconds on the clock, thanks to a driving layup from Hill.
Following a timeout requested by the Tar Heels, Veesaar turned over possession out of bounds in the frontcourt with just 2.4 seconds remaining, thus offering VCU an opportunity for victory. Trimble intercepted the inbound pass and possessed an opportunity to reverse the outcome, but his running three-point attempt at the final horn was unsuccessful, forcing the game into an extra period.
VCU achieved a 62% field goal percentage in the second half and converted 7 of 10 attempts from long range during the second half, compelling the game into overtime.
Initially, VCU found no counter for the towering 7-foot Veesaar within the pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop offensive sets. The Estonian native amassed 13 points and five boards in the initial half, while the Tar Heels established a 15-point advantage. If Veesaar wasn’t contributing points by driving to the hoop, he was sinking uncontested three-pointers from the top of the key.
However, the imposing player appeared to fatigue as the contest progressed, and errors ensued. His final tally included three turnovers.
Data from ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this account.