High Point stuns Wisconsin in first upset of March Madness

March Madness has officially arrived.

No. 12-seed High Point upset No. 5-seed Wisconsin 83-82 in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Tournament at Moda Center on Tuesday. 

High Point guard Chase Johnston scored the game-winning basket with 11 seconds 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 hauled in the rebound and fired downcourt to a streaking Johnston. 

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High Point guard Chase Johnston reacts after shooting a 3-pointer during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Wisconsin, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Portland, Oregon. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)

The game-winning layup was Johnston’s first two-point make all-season long. Johnston nailed multiple clutch 3-pointers down the stretch, scoring 14 points off the bench and going 4-6 from behind the arc.

Martin, who assisted on the game-winning layup, led the Panthers in scoring with 23 points while also dishing 10 assists. Owen Aquino (11 points), Terry Anderson (15 points) and Cam’Ron Fletcher (14 points) were the other players who scored in double-figures for High Point.

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High Point forward Cam’ron Fletcher reacts during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Wisconsin, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Portland, Oregon. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)

The victory over Wisconsin is the first-ever NCAA tournament victory for High Point in their second-ever tournament appearance. Last year was the Panthers’ first-ever appearance.  

Boyd and John Blackwell led the way for Wisconsin in the loss. Boyd scored 27 points with five rebounds and six assists while Blackwell scored 22 points and 10 rebounds. Austin Rapp added 12 points. 

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Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd (2) tries to get past High Point forward Owen Aquino (8) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Portland, Oregon. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

For Wisconsin, this is their second loss in three years in the first round as a No. 5 seed. Wisconsin lost to James Madison 72-61 in the first round in 2024. Last year, Wisconsin lost to BYU 91-89 in the second round. 

The last time Wisconsin made it out of the second round was 2017, when they lost in the Sweet Sixteen. 

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