Upset Alert: High Point Stuns Wisconsin 83–82 in West Region Opener

PORTLAND — March doesn’t always ease you in. Sometimes it hits you in the face at 1:50 p.m. ET.

No. 12 seed High Point (31–4) delivered a classic 12-over-5 jolt, edging No. 5 Wisconsin (24–11) 83–82 at the Moda Center to open the West Region. The Panthers didn’t survive on luck or a late heave—they matched Wisconsin shot for shot, won the scramble possessions, and made the final play that mattered.

First Half: High Point Announces Itself, Wisconsin Answers

High Point set the tone immediately when Owen Aquino stepped into a deep three to open the scoring. Wisconsin responded behind Nick Boyd, who was relentless all afternoon—getting downhill, creating contact, and keeping the Badgers afloat with a star-level scoring load.

Still, control never really arrived. High Point’s pace and confidence kept Wisconsin from settling, and the Panthers repeatedly extended possessions with second chances. Every time Wisconsin nudged ahead, High Point had an answer—whether it was Rob Martin creating offense, Cam’Ron Fletcher injecting athleticism, or the Panthers’ shooters firing without hesitation.

At the break, Wisconsin led 41–39, but it felt less like separation and more like a warning.

Second Half: A Gritty, Back-and-Forth Battle

High Point came out of halftime with purpose. Terry Anderson scored twice early to push the Panthers in front, and the game turned into a grind where neither side blinked.

Wisconsin got timely help from Austin Rapp, but Boyd was the constant—finishing with a monster line (27 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists) that nearly dragged the Badgers across the line. Nearly.

Because High Point kept coming. Martin stayed steady, Fletcher disrupted, and the Panthers’ balance meant Wisconsin couldn’t load up on just one threat for long.

The Final Minute: One Tie, One Takeaway, One Drive

The closing sequence was pure tournament chaos—tight spacing, rushed decisions, and every touch feeling like it weighed a ton.

With under a minute left, Chase Johnston buried a tying three from deep, and High Point immediately followed it with the kind of defensive play that flips games: a steal that turned Wisconsin’s possession into High Point’s opportunity.

With about 0:11 remaining, Johnston drove and finished the go-ahead layup to put High Point up 83–82. Wisconsin still had chances, but the Badgers couldn’t convert at the rim in the final moments, and the last possession ended in a turnover as the horn sounded.

High Point didn’t just hang around. It closed.

By the Numbers: Efficiency and Nerves

High Point’s shot-making and composure were the story:

• High Point: 54% FG, 38% 3PT, 67% FT

• Wisconsin: 48% FG, 39% 3PT, 92% FT

High Point left points at the line—and still won because it made the final defensive play and the final offensive play.

What It Means

For Wisconsin, it’s a gut-punch ending—wasting a monster Boyd performance in a game they led at the half and had chances to finish.

For High Point, it’s a program moment: a win that will live in highlight packages, bracket recaps, and every “remember when” March conversation for years.

This is the tournament at its best: a team with nothing to lose, playing like it has everything to gain—because it does.