No. 11 VCU storms back from 19 down to stun No. 6 North Carolina in OT

No. 6 North Carolina led 70-56 and appeared to be cruising to victory against No. 11 VCU on Thursday.

VCU had other ideas. The Rams reeled off 12 straight points and stormed back in the final 7:11 of regulation to force overtime and stun the Tar Heels, 82-78. The Rams advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament. North Carolina’s season, meanwhile, comes to a disappointing end.

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UNC was in control for much of Thursday’s game and led by as many a 19 points a 56-37. But anchored by aggressive defense, a deep bench and improved second-half shooting, the Rams took control of the game down the stretch. Poor execution from the Tar Heels helped the VCU cause.

UNC scored just 5 points in the final 7:11 of regulation and didn’t score in overtime until a Seth Trimble free throw with 2:02 remaining. It didn’t hit a field goal in the extra session. It added up to a dramatic collapse that will leave a bitter taste at the end of North Carolina’s season.

After allowing VCU to tie the game at 75 late in regulation, North Carolina had a chance to set up a game-winning shot attempt with 11 seconds remaining. But junior center Henri Veesaar lost the ball out of bounds before UNC could get a shot up.

Trimble stole the ensuing inbounds pass for a last-second shot at a game winner, but it missed the mark, and game went to overtime, where VCU won a battle of attrition as neither team scored in the first 2:13 of the extra session.

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VCU struck first to take a 77-75 lead. And a step-back 3 from the top of the key by Terrence Hill Jr but the Rams up for good, 80-78 with 15.1 seconds remaining.

Hill finished with a game-high 34 points while shooting 7 of 10 from 3-point distance. He scored 23 of his 34 points after halftime.

Veesaar had a chance to tie the game with two free throws on the other end. But he missed the first, ending UNC’s best hope of forcing a second overtime.

The win is the first in the NCAA tournament for VCU since 2016.

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/breaking-news/article/no-11-vcu-storms-back-from-19-down-to-stun-no-6-north-carolina-in-ot-012249497.html

Author : Jason Owens

Publish date : 2026-03-20 01:22:00

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