PORTLAND, Ore. — — Chase Johnston made his first 2-point basket of the season, a fast-break layup with 11.7 seconds remaining that gave No. 12 seed High Point an 83-82 victory over fifth-seeded Wisconsin on Thursday within the first spherical of the NCAA Tournament.
Johnston completed with 14 factors, together with 4 3-pointers for the Panthers, who had been 10 1/2-point underdogs, based on Sportsbook. He got here in capturing 64 of 132 (48.5%) from 3-point vary however 0 of 4 contained in the arc, and he had performed extra minutes (406) and scored extra factors (196) with out making a 2-point shot than any participant within the nation.
“I wasn’t really thinking whether it was a 2 or a 3, I was just trying to put it in and win the game,” Johnston mentioned.
Rob Martin had 23 factors and 10 assists for the Panthers, who will face No. 4 seed Arkansas within the second spherical of the West Region on Saturday.
Nick Boyd completed with 27 factors and John Blackwell added 22 factors and 10 rebounds for the Badgers (24-11), who’ve misplaced to a lower-seeded staff in every of their final 4 NCAA Tournament appearances. They fell to No. 11 seed Iowa State in 2022 and No. 12 seed James Madison in 2024 and misplaced within the second spherical final 12 months as a 3 seed to sixth-seeded BYU.
This newest upset was chargeable for ending the hopes of the vast majority of entrants who tried to finish an ideal 2026 bracket.
“You get sent home when you don’t take care of the things you need to take care of,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard mentioned.
After Johnston’s bucket gave High Point the lead, Owen Aquino blocked a driving layup by Boyd. The Panthers’ Cam’Ron Fletcher was fouled and missed a free throw, giving the Badgers an opportunity with 1 second left, however Andrew Rohde‘s lengthy cross was stolen by Terry Anderson and the celebration was on for High Point and first-year coach Flynn Clayman.
High Point earned a spot within the event by successful the Big South title for the second straight season. This was the primary March Madness win for the Panthers, who misplaced to Purdue within the first spherical final 12 months.
Clayman took over for Alan Huss, who left to turn into an assistant at Creighton with the stipulation he’ll be Greg McDermott’s successor.
“Just to be on this stage and play a game like this, something you dream about. I remember playing basketball with my brother in he backyard, one-on-one. We had our own little brackets, picking what teams we wanted to be and trying to win March Madness,” Johnston said. “And now to be on this stage with these guys and being able to hit a couple of shots and finish the layup, It’s just something I’ll never forget.”
High Point was resilient towards Wisconsin’s duo of Blackwell and Boyd, taking a 43-41 lead early within the second half. Both Badgers guards averaged 19-plus factors this season.
The Badgers pushed forward 56-50, however High Point tied it at 58-all on Martin’s 3-pointer. After a Wisconsin turnover, Martin missed a layup and on the subsequent possession, Rohde hit a 3 for the Badgers.
Braeden Carrington‘s 3 stretched Wisconsin’s result in 68-61 with 7:45 left. Terry Anderson’s dunk bought the Panthers inside 72-70 with 3:48 left. After Boyd answered with a pair of free throws, Johnston hit one other 3 to get the Panthers inside some extent.
Johnston hit his fourth 3 to drag High Point inside 82-81 with 55 seconds to go.
The Badgers, making their twenty ninth event look, lost in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament to Michigan.
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AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and protection: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness
