In a stunning March Madness moment, High Point’s Chase Johnston scored the game-winning layup with his first two-point attempt of the entire season, sealing an 83-82 upset over fifth-seeded Wisconsin and completing a statistical rarity that defined the Panthers’ historic victory.
The final seconds of the NCAA Tournament’s West Region showdown between High Point and Wisconsin delivered a plot twist worthy of Hollywood. With the Panthers trailing by one, guard Chase Johnston—a player who had attempted just four two-point shots all season—received a pass on the fast break and calmly finger-rolled a layup for the lead. That basket, Johnston’s first two-point make of 2025-26, held up for an 83-82 upset win that reverberated across the tournament.
Johnston’s identity is that of a pure shooter. Entering the game, he was 64-of-132 from beyond the arc but a perfect 0-for-4 on two-point attempts. He had played more minutes (406) and scored more points (196) without a two-point basket than any player in the nation according to The Associated Press. So when he drove the lane, it wasn’t just a play call—it was a statistical rebellion.
“I was just trying to finish it, honestly. To be down one, get the ball thrown up to me, I was just like, ‘Get this in the rim,’” Johnston explained to The Associated Press. “We can go shock the world if we do this.” That sentiment, from a player who had never scored inside the arc in 2025-26, now defines High Point’s tournament heartbeat.
High Point coach Flynn Clayman saw the irony as a form of justice: “It’s such justice that he gets all this national attention for never making a 2-point shot all season. Then the first one he makes is to get us to this win in the NCAA Tournament.” The narrative feed was immediate—fans and analysts had tracked Johnston’s two-point drought all year, and the climax was perfection.
A Career Forged Beyond the Arc
Johnston’s path to this moment is a story of transfers and three-point mastery. He began at Stetson in 2020-21, moved to Florida Gulf Coast for two seasons, and arrived at High Point as a graduate student. Along the way, he amassed 415 career three-pointers, ranking 22nd in Division I history. His game is defined by quick releases and deep range, as Wisconsin coach Greg Gard noted: “We’ve seen Johnston make some circus ones today off one leg. It’s exactly what I saw on film. His ability to shoot the ball and get it off quick.”
The Fan-Driven Mythos of an Unlikely Hero
Social media erupted after the game, with fans celebrating the ultimate irony: the player who lived on the perimeter delivered the dagger from the paint. For months, the basketball internet had buzzed about Johnston’s stat line—196 points without a two—wondering if it would ever break. That speculation turned into legend in real time. This isn’t just a win; it’s the epitome of March Madness, where statistical quirks become immortal.
Strategically, the play forces a rethink. Wisconsin, a fifth seed, game-planned for Johnston’s threes, yet the one time he drove, it was fatal. High Point now carries the threat of a clutch two-point scorer, adding a new layer to their offensive identity for potential future matchups.
Johnston finished with 14 points on 66.7% shooting from three, but the finger-roll layup will be the enduring image. It was a moment that defied his entire season’s script and wrote a new chapter in NCAA lore—proof that in March, even the most specialized players can surprise.
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