Virginia Commonwealth University defeated the University of North Carolina 82-78 in overtime in a first-round game of the 2026 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament on March 19, 2026, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.[1]
VCU, an 11th seed from the Atlantic 10 Conference, overcame a 19-point deficit that North Carolina built with 15 minutes left in regulation.[1] The Rams forced overtime with a layup by Terrence Hill Jr. with 11 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the score at 75.[1]
Seth Trimble of North Carolina stole the ball with 2.9 seconds left in regulation but missed a three-point attempt.[1] In overtime, both teams struggled from the free-throw line, with North Carolina going 0-for-7.[1]
Nyk Lewis gave VCU a 77-75 lead with a layup at the 2:08 mark of overtime. Trimble tied the game with one of two free throws after being fouled on a layup attempt that rimmed out with 35 seconds left.[1]
Hill sealed the victory with a three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining in overtime. North Carolina's Henri Veesaar missed the first of two free throws while trailing 80-78, ending the Tar Heels' tournament run.[1]
Terrence Hill Jr. led VCU with 34 points on 13-of-23 field goal shooting, including 7-of-10 from three-point range.[1] The Rams shot 62% from the field in the second half, making 7 of 10 three-pointers, and outscored North Carolina 47-36 in the period.[1]
The win marked VCU's first NCAA tournament victory since 2016.[1] Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which seats 15,951, has hosted NCAA tournament first- and second-round games in recent years.[2]
North Carolina, a sixth seed from the Atlantic 10 Conference, entered as a higher seed in the standard bracket format where 11th seeds face sixth seeds in the first round.[3]
Sources
- Fox News Digital, VCU Rams vs North Carolina Tar Heels game report, March 19, 2026, https://www.foxnews.com/sports
- Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Home page, accessed October 2024, https://www.bonsecoursarenagreenville.com/
- NCAA, Men's March Madness, accessed October 2024, https://www.ncaa.com/march-madness
