High Point 83-82 Wisconsin (Mar 19, 2026) Game Recap

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 have been 10 1/2-point underdogs, in accordance with 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 stated.

Robert 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 workforce 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 yr as a 3 seed to sixth-seeded BYU.

This newest upset was answerable 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 stated.

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 go 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 profitable 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 yr.

Clayman took over for Alan Huss, who was left to grow to be 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 the backyard, one-on-one. We had our own little brackets, picking what teams we wanted to be and trying to win March Madness,” Johnston stated. “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 against Wisconsin’s duo of Blackwell and Boyd, taking a 43-41 lead early in the second half. Both Badgers guards averaged 19-plus points this season.

The Badgers pushed ahead 56-50, but High Point tied it at 58-all on Martin’s 3-pointer. After a Wisconsin turnover, Martin missed a layup and on the next possession, Rohde hit a 3 for the Badgers.

Braeden Carrington‘s 3 stretched Wisconsin’s lead to 68-61 with 7:45 left. Terry Anderson’s dunk got the Panthers within 72-70 with 3:48 left. After Boyd responded with a pair of free throws, Johnston hit another 3 to get the Panthers within a point.

Johnston hit his fourth 3 to pull High Point within 82-81 with 55 seconds to go.

The Badgers, making their 29th tournament appearance, lost in the semi-finals 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