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VCU rallied from a 19-point second-half deficit behind an electric performance from sophomore guard Terrence Hill Jr., who scored 34 points and made a game-winning step back 3 in the final minute of overtime to lead the Rams to the upset win.
Final.#CarolinaFamily | @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/VWM6U9jEAV
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) March 20, 2026
North Carolina had a chance to tie the score with 4.2 seconds left, but center Henri Veesaar missed the first of two free throws. He then tried to miss the second intentionally, but the ball never touched the rim, a violation.
Tied up at 77 with 50.3 to go in OT.
Heels ball. pic.twitter.com/PpKaUaQCv6
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) March 20, 2026
That error was symbolic of the latter portion of the game, when the Tar Heels seemed to run out of gas against the faster, deeper Rams. Veesaar had dominated the first two-thirds of the game and finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds, but he and the rest of the Tar Heels gave up a 14-point lead in the final seven minutes. North Carolina played four of its five players the entire second half and overtime.
Special delivery ‼️pic.twitter.com/QSptvnXUgI
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) March 20, 2026
Hill led a furious Rams comeback by making seven 3s. Yet he also tormented the Tar Heels coming off ball screens, especially going to his right, and either finished at the rim or found a teammate for a perimeter shot (he finished with five assists). The game winner, however, came going to his left in crunch time.
Credit The Athletic — John Hollinger, senior writer
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