- by foxnews
- 29 Mar 2026
High Point did not have many opportunities to put the country on notice, as its entire schedule was filled with fellow mid-major schools.
But head coach Flynn Clayman called out the Power Four schools for seemingly avoiding High Point and other mid-majors throughout the season.
"I know how good of a team we are. But nobody would play us, just like they wouldn't play Miami (Ohio). But they gotta play us in this tournament."
After Johnston's bucket gave High Point the lead, Owen Aquino blocked a driving layup by Boyd. The Panthers' Cam'Ron Fletcher was fouled and missed a 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 was on for High Point and first-year coach Flynn Clayman.
High Point earned a spot in the tournament by winning the Big South title for the second straight season. This was the first March Madness win for the Panthers, who lost to Purdue in the first round last year.
Johnston finished with 14 points, including four 3-pointers for the Panthers, who were 10.5-point underdogs.
Fox News' Ryan Canfield and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Captain Jose Rodriguez Jr. caught a massive 480-pound swordfish in the Florida Keys, fighting the trophy fish for five hours on a deep-sea fishing charter as a family watched.
read more