VCU 82, UNC 78 · Final

AWAY · 28-7 VCU VCU 28-7

HOME · #21 · 24-9 North Carolina @ #21 UNC 24-9

MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL · NON-CONF FINAL FINAL 82 78 Greenville, SC

MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL · NON-CONF THU, MAR 19 10:50 PM Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville

TNT UNC –2.5 · O/U 150.5

MAR 19 10:50P TNT UNC –2.5 · O/U 150.5

VCU

28-7

North Carolina

#21 · 24-9

Final · 82 - 78

MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL · NON-CONF Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville

Thu, Mar 19 10:50 PM Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville

TNT UNC –2.5 · O/U 150.5

Recap

North Carolina looked destined to cruise through the first round, building a commanding 19-point lead and appearing to control this NCAA Tournament matchup. The Tar Heels dominated stretches of the first half, including an 11-2 run that pushed them ahead 28-20. But VCU had other plans. Trailing 56-37, the Rams launched an improbable comeback, chipping away with a crucial 14-2 run that brought them within striking distance at 72-70. The final minute was pure chaos. North Carolina's Seth Trimble made a free throw with 35 seconds left to cut it to one, but VCU wouldn't be denied. Terrence Hill Jr. drained a clutch three-pointer with 17 seconds remaining, and Nyk Lewis sealed it with two free throws in the final seconds. In one of the tournament's biggest first-round shocks, the 11-seed Rams stunned the 6-seed Tar Heels 82-78, completing a stunning 19-point comeback at a neutral site.