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North Carolina blows 19-point lead, falls to VCU in overtime
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- North Carolina blows 19-point lead, falls to VCU in overtime
The North Carolina Tar Heels end their season on a three-game losing streak, falling 82-78 in overtime to No. 11 seed VCU.
After holding a 19-point lead in the first half and being up by double digits for the first 10 minutes of the second half, UNC scored just 8 points in the final 12:11 (including overtime) to lose. The Tar Heels had several chances at the end to seal the deal but missed free throws and shots doomed them.
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VCU's Terrence Hill Jr. took over in the second half, finishing the game with 34 points. As VCU trailed 70-56, they went on a 19-5 run in the final 9 minutes led by Hill to send the game into overtime. UNC did have the ball with 12 seconds left in a tie game but didn't get a shot off and turned it over.
Seth Trimble stole the VCU inbounds but his shot with two seconds left fell short as they went to extra time.
From there, both teams struggled to score before the Rams got a big three-pointer from Hill to take a 80-78 lead.
North Carolina's last chance was a Henri Veesaar drive as the ball rolled out on a foul. He missed both free throws and VCU hit both to seal the win. It's the first time in UNC history that the team has been eliminated in the first round in back-to-back years.
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Veesaar finished with 28 points to lead the Tar Heels.
FINAL: VCU 82, UNC 78
North Carolina blows a 19-point lead and loses to VCU. Their season is over.
Under 1 minute left
UNC and VCU are tied at 77. The Tar Heels have the ball with 50.3 left...
Both teams struggling in overtime
Just four total points in OT as we are tied at 77. UNC has had multiple shots roll off the rim.
Overtime
Seth Trimble steals the inbounds pass but his shot is short as time expires. We head to overtime tied at 75.
North Carolina doesn't get a shot off
The Tar Heels turn it over. VCU has the ball with 2.9 seconds left.
We are tied at 75
VCU draws a five second call and then Hill gets a layup. It's 75-75. 8.1 seconds left and UNC ball.
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It's a one score game....
VCU has cut it to 75-73 with 31 seconds left. Free throws for the Tar Heels.....
UNC holds a five-point lead in crunch time
The Tar Heels are up 75-70 with 1:15 left in the game. It's VCU ball. This could come down to free throws for the Tar Heels.
It's a four-point UNC lead late
VCU cut it to two but a big Veesaar dunk makes it 74-70 with 2:15 left. Timeout UNC. They have the ball.
VCU goes on a 9-0 run....
This isn't good for Carolina. The Rams are on a 9-0 run and have cut it to five. It looks like they just forced another turnover. It's getting interesting....
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VCU cuts it to single digits
An and-one cuts the lead down to 70-62 for VCU with 4:50 left. UNC has to find their offense here. The Tar Heels have just three points in five minutes.....
VCU cuts it down to 11....
VCU on a little run here and they cut the lead to 67-56 with just under 8 minutes left in the game.
VCU trying to rally
The Tar Heels hold a 61-47 lead at the under-12 timeout but VCU is trying to rally here late.
UNC picking up right where they left off
North Carolina is now up 56-37 with 14:57 left in the game. Henri Veesaar and Seth Trimble are leading the way for the Tar Heels.
Henri Veesaar start the second half strong
UNC extends the lead to 45-30 behind Henri Vessaar early in the second half.
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HALFTIME: UNC 39, VCU 28
The Tar Heels go on a 22-10 run to end the half and take a 39-28 lead at the break.
North Carolina leads at under-4 timeout
The Tar Heels are on a 15-3 run and they are up 32-21 with 3:10 left. The defense has really turned it on here in the first half.
Seth Trimble dunk!
Seth Trimble gets a steal and throws it down for a fast break dunk. UNC has its largest lead of the game at 30-21.
UNC goes on a 7-0 run
The Tar Heels are pushing the pace and are on a 7-0 run to take a 24-18 lead. VCU calls a timeout. Derek Dixon has both of UNC's made three-pointers.
Tar Heels struggling from three
Derek Dixon makes UNC's first three as they are now 1-of-7 from the three-point line
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First subs for North Carolina
Jonathan Powell, Zayden High and Jaydon Young check in. UNC brings out Henri Veesaar, Jarin Stevenson (two fouls) and Luka Bogavac. They lead 11-10 with 12:35 left.
VCU takes the lead at the under 16 timeout
The Rams are on a 8-0 run to take a 8-5 lead at the under 16 timeout. UNC is getting open looks but just can't hit shots early.
VCU responds with a 6-0 run
The Rams go on a 6-0 run with six quick points from Lazar Djokovic they take a 6-5 lead.
UNC going inside early
Henri Veesaar gets two made free throws then Jarin Stevenson has an and-one in the paint. UNC leads 5-0.
UNC and VCU starters announced
We are just under an hour away from tipoff and we have starters for UNC and VCU
What you need to know
WHAT?VCU Rams (27-7, 15-3 A10) vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (24-78 12-6 ACC)
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WHEN?Thursday, March 19 at 6:50 p.m. ET
WHERE?Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greeeville, South Carolina
TV?TNT. (Ian Eagle, Bill Rafferty, Grant Hill, and Tracy Wolfson)
RADIO? SiriusXM (Channel 193)
LINE?UNC -2 1/2
LAST MEETING?N/A
ALL-TIME SERIES:First meeting
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC Basketball: Tar Heels blow 19-point lead and lose to VCU
