High Point Upsets Wisconsin 83 - 82 as Chase Johnston Game Winner Delivers Historic March Madness Victory

PORTLAND, Ore. — High Point Panthers men's basketball produced one of the biggest breaking update moments of the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, defeating the Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball 83 - 82 on a late game winner from Chase Johnston in a dramatic first round finish.

Johnston scored 14 points, including four three point shots, but delivered the decisive play with 11.7 seconds remaining on a fast break layup that marked his first two point field goal of the entire season. The basket completed a remarkable statistical storyline, as Johnston had entered the game without a made shot inside the arc despite logging over 400 minutes this season.

The latest result sends No. 12 seed High Point into the Round of 32 and eliminates a Wisconsin team that entered as a No. 5 seed with significant expectations. The upset also continues a growing trend in recent tournaments where double digit seeds disrupt early round projections and reshape bracket outlooks.

Rob Martin led High Point with 23 points and 10 assists, orchestrating the offense and contributing key baskets during momentum swings. The Panthers showed consistent resilience, responding to multiple Wisconsin runs and maintaining offensive efficiency in high pressure possessions.

Wisconsin was led by Nick Boyd, who scored 27 points, while John Blackwell added 22 points and 10 rebounds. Despite those performances, Wisconsin was unable to close out the game in the final minute.

The decisive sequence unfolded in the closing seconds. After Johnston’s go ahead basket, Owen Aquino blocked a potential tying layup attempt by Boyd, preserving the lead. High Point then missed a free throw, leaving Wisconsin with one final possession, but Terry Anderson secured a steal on the inbound pass to end the game.

High Point’s path to this moment began with its second consecutive Big South Conference men's basketball tournamenttitle, earning the automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. The win marks the program’s first ever March Madness victory after falling in the first round the previous year.

The game featured multiple momentum shifts. Wisconsin extended its lead to 68 - 61 with 7:45 remaining, but High Point responded with timely scoring, including a dunk from Anderson and consecutive three point shots from Johnston to close the gap.

Johnston tied the game late with his fourth three pointer before ultimately delivering the game winning basket, a sequence that will stand as one of the defining moments of the opening round.

From an impact perspective, Wisconsin’s loss continues a concerning tournament trend. The Badgers have now been eliminated by a lower seeded opponent in four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, raising questions about late game execution in postseason play.

For High Point, the outlook shifts significantly. The Panthers advance to face the Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball in the second round, a matchup that will test whether their guard play and perimeter shooting can translate against a higher seeded and more physically imposing opponent.

The next steps for High Point center on recovery and preparation as the team builds on momentum from its first NCAA Tournament win. With a signature upset secured and confidence growing, the Panthers have already reshaped the narrative of the West Region and remain one of the most notable early tournament stories.