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After No. 12 High Point pulled off a huge upset in March Madness, faith was the only thing on Panther’s mind.
High Point rallied from double figures to defeat No. 5 Wisconsin in the tournament final. first surprise in an exciting 83-82 victory for their first victory in the tournament.
High Point guard Chase Johnston scored the winning basket with 11.7 seconds left and delivered a true message after the game.
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High Point Panthers guard Chase Johnston (99) reacts after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers in a first-round game of the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Image Images)
“First of all, I want to give all the glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” he said. “It’s been an incredible season. This is a group of guys that stands on John 15:13. We serve each other, we love each other, and we would die for each other. I’m so grateful.”
Johnston’s basket came on a breakaway layup after wisconsin guard Nick Boyd missed a layup that would have put the Badgers up 84-81. High Point guard Rob Martin grabbed the rebound and fired it in the direction of Johnston, a 3-point specialist, the basket was Johnston’s first two-point basket of the season.
High Point Panthers guard Chase Johnston (99) is interviewed after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half of a first-round game of the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament at Moda Center. (Troy Wayrynen/Image Images)
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After Johnston’s basket gave High Point the lead, Owen Aquino blocked a Boyd layup. The Panthers’ Cam’Ron Fletcher was fouled and missed a free throw, giving the Badgers a chance with 1.8 seconds left, but Andrew Rohde’s long pass was stolen by Terry Anderson, and the celebration began for High Point and first-year coach Flynn Clayman.
High Point earned a spot in the tournament by winning the Big South title for the second straight season. Last year was their first appearance in the tournament, but they lost as a 13th seed to No. 4 Purdue.
Head coach Flynn Clayman of the High Point Panthers is hugged by guard Scotty Washington and forward Terry Anderson after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photos by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA via Getty Images)
The Panthers have another tough task on their hands against No. 4 Arkansas on Saturday, but after Clayman criticized major schools for avoiding mid-majors all season, he obviously feels pretty confident in his team.
