(BCSNN) — Terrence Hill Jr. delivered one of the greatest performances in VCU history, hitting the go‑ahead three‑pointer with 15 seconds left in overtime as the 11th‑seeded Rams completed a 19‑point second‑half comeback to stun No. 6 seed North Carolina 81–78 on Thursday.

It marked the largest first‑round comeback in NCAA Tournament history and VCU’s first tournament win since 2016.

Hill scored a career‑high 34 points on 13‑for‑23 shooting and went 7‑for‑10 from three, carrying VCU (—) through a furious rally after trailing 56–37 with 14:58 remaining. Freshman guard Nyk Lewis added 16 points and seven rebounds, and junior forward Lazar Djokovic scored 15 with five rebounds and two blocks. VCU’s bench outscored UNC’s 42–7.

Henri Veesaar led North Carolina with 26 points on 9‑of‑18 shooting, while the Tar Heels struggled from deep, finishing just 8‑for‑29 from three.

VCU trailed 70–56 with 7:11 left before Hill ignited a 14–2 run, hitting a three to pull the Rams within 72–70 with 3:05 remaining. Hill tied the game at 75–75 on a driving layup with 11 seconds left to force overtime.

Lewis opened the extra period with a layup, but UNC briefly regained the lead 78–77 on a Seth Trimble free throw with 35 seconds left. Hill answered again, drilling a deep three to put VCU ahead 80–78. The Tar Heels missed two free throws on the ensuing possession, and Lewis sealed the win with two foul shots.

VCU shot 45.5 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from three (11‑for‑26), while UNC shot 41.4 percent overall.

The win marks VCU’s 14th NCAA Tournament victory and the highest scoring output by a Ram in tournament play.

VCU advances to face No. 3 seed Illinois on Saturday at 7:50 p.m. ET on CBS.