We have our first stunner of March Madness, and it comes courtesy of High Point University.
In front of a very lively crowd at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, the No. 12 seeded Panthers took a back-and-forth 83-82 thriller over the No.5 seed Wisconsin Badgers. GraduaChase Johnston was heroic for the small but affluent school from North Carolina, scoring 11 of his 14 points in the 2nd half. His deadly three-point shooting was on full display, including a logo shot that would’ve made Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard proud.
But of all things, his decisive bucket was not from beyond the arc. After star Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd missed at the rim, Johnston leaked out for the winning lay-up with 11.5 seconds to go in regulation. It was not just his first made two-point of the game, it was his first made two-pointer all season.
Boyd, who finished the game with 27 points, was blocked at the rim by Owen Aquino in the closing seconds. Despite a missed free throw from Cam Fletcher with 2.1 seconds left, the desperation heave to the front court was intercepted by Terry Anderson, setting off jubilation on the court and in the stands. Game, set, upset. This is why we love March Madness (unless you’re a Wisconsin fan today).
“I mean, when Rob [Martin] threw that up, I was like, I got to put this in the hoop and win this game,” The 26-year-old Johnston said after the game. “I wasn’t really thinking whether it was a two or a three. I was
just trying to put it in and win this game.“
High Point’s fast-paced offense gave Wisconsin fits all game, even during the offensive lulls. They finished 15/40 from three-point range, including 9/17 in the 2nd half. High Point averaged 26 attempts on the season, so
“They hit timely threes,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said to SB Nation after the game. “[Cam’ron] Fletcher hits one. [Terry] Anderson I believe hit one. They bank in one. So it took that type of 15 threes for them to be able to counter what we were doing. It’s a credit to them. You can take ‘em, but they were able to knock ‘em down.”
Flynn Clayman’s team also did an excellent job locking down Wisconsin’s other backcourt star, John Blackwell, who had 20 points in the first half but had just two points on 1/7 shooting and five turnovers after halftime.
“I think I was getting to the same things in the second half,” A dejected Blackwell told SB Nation in the post-game press conference. “Just mentally staying there. We have a big half, finishing around the rim. [There are] things I could have done better, but credit to them getting the win, playing some good defense.“
Among the main catalysts for High Point’s memorable win was guard Rob Martin, a transfer from San Diego State who led the team with 23 points and 10 assists. Cam Fletcher chipped in his own double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
This is the first NCAA Tournament win for High Point in just their second appearances. They weren’t able to oust Purdue last season, but they made sure to take care of Big Ten opposition this time around.
Up next for High Point is the winner of No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 13 Hawaii on Saturday.
