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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 16 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 five early in the game, and they led 56-52 with 14:17 left after a 12-2 run.
The two teams traded baskets for several minutes, with neither increasing their respective lead 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 2026 men’s NCAA tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)
With 7:04 left, the Panthers took a 72-71 lead, which the Razorbacks responded with a 10-2 run, putting them up by seven and giving them their largest lead of the night.
The game was then quickly tied at 83 after a wild run by High Point, but in the final 3:19, Arkansas outscored High Point, 11-5, to snatch the victory, despite a valiant effort by the Panthers.
High Point Panthers forward Terry Anderson (5) against Arkansas Razorbacks forward Malique Ewin (12) and forward Billy Richmond III (24) in the second half during a second round game of the 2026 men’s NCAA tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)
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Arkansas was favored by 11.5, and even though 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 Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. bested everyone by dropping 36.
Arkansas will face the winner of 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 2026 men’s NCAA tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Imagn Images)
High Point’s win over Wisconsin on Thursday marked its first-ever March Madness victory after entering the tournament last year for the first time.
