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No. 12 High Point put everyone on notice for the second time in as many games this March Madness, but couldn’t find the same success.
After advancing to the round of 32 following an upset win over No. 5 Wisconsin, the Panthers’ season ended after No. 4 Arkansas ran away from them late Saturday night.
High Point led by as many as five early in the game and was up 56-52 with 14:17 to go after going on a 12-2 run.
Both teams traded buckets for several minutes, with neither extending their respective leads by more than three points for a short while.
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High Point Panthers head coach Flynn Clayman and guard Rob Martin (3) react in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks during a second round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at the Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)
With 7:04 left, the Panthers took a 72-71 lead, to which the Razorbacks responded with a 10-2 run that put them up by seven and gave them their biggest lead of the night.
The game was then quickly tied at 83 after a wild run by High Point, but over the final 3:19, Arkansas outscored High Point, 11-5, to grab the victory, despite a valiant effort by the Panthers.
High Point Panthers forward Terry Anderson (5) drives against Arkansas Razorbacks forward Malique Ewin (12) and forward Billy Richmond III (24) in the second half during a second round men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament game at the Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)
VANDERBILT’S HAIL MARY SHOT MISSES BY THE NIGHTEST OF MARGINS AS NEBRASKA GOES TO THE SWEET 16 IN EPIC FASHION
Arkansas was favored by 11.5, and while they couldn’t cover, it was another Sweet 16 appearance for legendary head coach John Calipari.
Two Panthers, Rob Martin (30) and Cam’Ron Fletcher (25), combined for 55 points, but Darius Acuff Jr. from Arkansas trumped everyone by losing 36.
Arkansas will face the winner of the No. 1 Arizona and No. 9 Utah State in the Sweet 16.
High Point Panthers head coach Flynn Clayman and forward Braden Hausen (15) react in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks during a second round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at the Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)
High Point’s win over Wisconsin on Thursday marked their first ever appearance in March Madness after entering the tournament last year for the first time.
