High Point’s Chase Johnston delivers faithful message after game-winning bucket
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
After No. 12 High Point pulled off a huge March Madness upset, belief was the only thing on a Panther’s mind.
High Point came back from double digits to knock off the tournament’s No. 5 seed, Wisconsin. I felt sad for the first time in an exciting way. He won his first victory in the tournament 83-82.
High Point guard Chase Johnston scored the game-winning basket with 11.7 seconds left and had a message for the faithful after the game.
CLICK HERE TO GET MORE SPORTS NEWS ON FOXNEWS.COM
High Point Panthers guard Chase Johnston (99) reacts after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers in the first round game of the 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)
“Above all, I want to give all the glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he said. “It’s been an incredible season. This is a group of men based on John 15:13. We serve each other, we love each other, and we die for each other. I’m so grateful.”
Johnston’s bucket followed with a layup Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd missed a layup that would have given the Badgers an 84-81 lead. High Point guard Rob Martin grabbed the rebound and shot to Johnston down the court; It was three-point specialist Johnston’s first two-pointer this season.
High Point Panthers guard Chase Johnston (99) is interviewed after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half of a first-round game of the 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. (Troy Wayrynen/Imagn Images)
FORMER DUKE PLAYER TELLS ABOUT SHIPPING COACH K’S MARCH MADNESS BRACKET TO MICRO TOURNAMENTS
After Johnston’s shot gave High Point the lead, Owen Aquino blocked Boyd’s layup. The Panthers’ Cam’Ron Fletcher was fouled and missed the free throw, giving the Badgers a chance with 1.8 seconds left, but Andrew Rohde’s long pass was stolen by Terry Anderson and the celebration continued for High Point and first-year coach Flynn Clayman.
High Point earned a berth in the tournament by winning the Big South championship for the second straight season. He made his first appearance in the tournament last year, but as a 13-seed, he lost to No. 4 Purdue.
High Point Panthers head coach Flynn Clayman is embraced by guard Scotty Washington and forward Terry Anderson after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
CLICK TO REACH THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
The Panthers have another tough assignment against No. 4 Arkansas on Saturday, but Clayman clearly has plenty of confidence in his roster after calling for major schools to avoid mid-majors throughout the season.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports streaming on Xand subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
