High Point upset was going to take everything — including a first layup of the season

PORTLAND, OR – Go figure the biggest moment in High Point basketball history hinged on Chase Johnston doing something he hadn’t done all season.

In the final seconds of the NCAA Tournament first round game against Wisconsin, the Panthers were down by a point when Rob Martin got a loose ball, and up ahead was an open Johnston running toward the bucket. Martin passed it perfectly to Johnston. All that was left was for Johnston to make a 2-point spot.

Advertisement

A shot he hadn’t made all season.

March Madness scores: Upsets, close calls, highlights from today’s first round

March Madness heroes, legends: High Point’s Chase Johnston can take his place on this list

It sounds unusual, but it’s in fact one of the wildest stats in college basketball. Prior to that moment, Johnston attempted 142 shots on the season; 138 were 3-pointers.

The four 2-point shots? All misses.

No pressure for the sharpshooter.

Luckily, it was a layup. Johnston rolled it into the bucket, and sealed High Point’s first NCAA Tournament win in school history.

It was unusual territory for Johnston, but it didn’t frighten him at all. Because he knew “we can go shock the world.”

Advertisement

“When Rob threw that off, I was just like, ‘I gotta put this in to win this game,’” he said. “I wasn’t really thinking whether it’s a 2 or 3. I was just trying to put it in and win this game.”

A moment that held the breath of every fan donning purple inside Moda Center, knowing it was asking someone for something out of their game. But those on the court knew their fortunate fate was sealed the moment it touched his hands.

In fact, the only thing they wondered was if it was going to be a slam.

“Chase got a little bit of bounce. Chase probably dunk a little bit,” Martin said, drawing laughs from his teammates. “But I knew Chase was gonna make a layup. Of course, I believe in him.”

1 / 5

March Sadness hits hard in the NCAA Tournament

Thomas Dowd of the Troy Trojans reacts after coming out of the game…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/high-point-upset-going-everything-221813873.html

Author :

Publish date : 2026-03-19 22:18:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.