The magic of NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament delivered one of its most jaw-dropping moments Thursday night, as 12-seed High Point Panthers shocked 5-seed Wisconsin Badgers 83-82 in a West Region first-round classic.
With the game hanging in the balance, Chase Johnston authored a moment that will live in tournament lore. Known almost exclusively for his perimeter shooting, Johnston made his first 2-point basket of the entire season—a fast-break layup with 11.7 seconds remaining—to give High Point the lead for good.
Johnston, who entered the game 0-for-4 inside the arc on the season, finished with 14 points, knocking down four 3-pointers before delivering the decisive blow. His unlikely heroics capped a night where the Panthers, 10.5-point underdogs, refused to back down.
High Point’s offensive engine was Rob Martin, who delivered a masterful performance with 23 points and 10 assists, orchestrating the upset with poise. The Panthers now advance to face 4-seed Arkansas Razorbacks in the second round.
Wisconsin, meanwhile, leaned heavily on its star duo. Nick Boyd poured in 27 points, while John Blackwell added 22 points and 10 rebounds. But despite their efforts, the Badgers’ troubling tournament trend continued—they have now lost to a lower-seeded opponent in four straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
The game itself was a back-and-forth battle throughout the second half. High Point grabbed a 43-41 edge early after the break before Wisconsin surged ahead 56-50. The Panthers responded, tying the game at 58 on a Martin three-pointer, setting the stage for a frantic finish.
Wisconsin appeared in control late, stretching its lead to 68-61 with under eight minutes remaining after a three from Braeden Carrington. But High Point chipped away, highlighted by a thunderous dunk from Terry Anderson that cut the deficit to two.
In the final minute, Johnston drilled his fourth three-pointer to make it 82-81. Moments later came his improbable layup—his first of the season—putting the Panthers ahead.
Wisconsin had chances in the closing seconds. After Owen Aquino blocked Boyd at the rim, High Point’s Cam’Ron Fletcher missed a free throw, leaving the door open. But on the final play, Andrew Rohde’s long inbounds pass was intercepted by Terry Anderson, igniting a celebration for the ages.
The victory marks the first NCAA Tournament win in program history for High Point, which earned its bid by winning the Big South Conference title for the second consecutive year.
In his first season as head coach, Flynn Clayman has already etched his name into school history, guiding the Panthers to a breakthrough moment on college basketball’s biggest stage.
For Wisconsin, making its 29th tournament appearance, the loss adds another chapter to a string of March disappointments. For High Point, it’s a defining triumph—and a reminder of why March Madness remains one of the most unpredictable and thrilling events in sports.
