PORTLAND, Ore. – The Cinderella run of the High Point University men's basketball team came to an end Saturday night in the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament. After making the tournament for just the second time in program history, HPU defeated No. 5 Wisconsin before falling to No. 4 Arkansas, 94-88 in Portland, Oregon.
Rob Marin paced the Panthers on offense with his first 30-point performance of the season. He went 11-for-23 from the field and 5-for-5 from the line while adding in five assists before fouling out in the last eight seconds of the game.
Cam'Ron Fletcher complimented Martin with 25 points and eight rebounds.
Terry Anderson was the only other Panther to reach double figures with 15 points and six rebounds.
"I'm really proud of our guys man." Head Coach
Flynn Clayman stated. "We really competed with the SEC champs, lottery picks, and guys who are the best of the best. Our team and our university really showed out, you know we packed the house, we had fun and we played with confidence. We were expected to do good but I don't think anyone expected us to do what we did here... win 31 games, get to the tournament, advance and push the SEC champs. I couldn't be more proud of these guys and what a ride."
Site: Moda Center
Score: No. 12 High Point 88, No. 4 Arkansas 94
Records: High Point (31-5, 15-1), Arkansas (28-8, 13-5)
The entire game was a battle between the Panthers and Razorbacks as the game witnessed 15 lead changes and six ties, while never exceeding a margin of eight points. HPU jumped out to an early lead with a layup from Anderson who floated it high off the glass to make it 7-2 in the first two minutes.
Fletcher entered the game at the 16-minute mark after Anderson picked up two early fouls. Fletcher quickly joined in on the action scoring a driving layup and knocking down a perimeter three to trail 19-16.
Arkansas extended its lead to eight, 28-20 with seven minutes to go in the first half. Moments later, the three-point line caught fire for the Panthers as
Chase Johnston hit his first of the night followed by Fletcher and Martin's threes to put HPU within one, 30-29.
In the final two minutes of the first half, High Point trail by one basket. Johnston buried a Steph Curry type three from the win to give HPU a 42-41 lead with 16 seconds left to go in the first half. Arkansas led 43-42 at the break after making two free throws.
After four minutes of action in the second half, High Point went to work and stretched on a 10-0 run with six of the points coming from Anderson. HPU led 56-52 with 14 minutes to go.
It was back-and-forth, high pace action between the two teams as Johnston buried another triple to take a 65-64 lead at the 10-minute mark. The margin stayed within a possession or two through the next five minutes of action.
With five minutes to go in the game, Arkansas' Darius Acuff, Jr. took over and connected on an and-one call to put the Razorbacks up by seven, 81-76. The Panthers continued to attack the basket and tied it at 83-83 with a Martin layup in transition.
A three from Arkansas put the Razorbacks up 90-83 with a minute left in the game. Fletcher closed it to a five-point game with a layup. HPU immediately fouled and sent Arkansas to the line for two which were connected on.
Trailing 92-85 with 44 seconds left on the clock, High Point took multiple shot attempts to close the gap.
Braden Hausen drained a deep three to make it 92-88 with nine seconds left. High Point fouled and Arkansas made both free throws, ending the game 94-88.
High Point left it all on the court against the SEC Champions, proving just how talented the Panthers really are. This concludes the 2025-26 historic season under first-year head coach
Flynn Clayman who guided the Panthers to back-to-back regular season and tournament titles while breaking a Big South and program record 31-wins.
On behalf of the High Point men's basketball team, we would like to thank our administration, students and fans who supported the team throughout the season at home and away. The team could not thank you enough for traveling across the country to show the world the culture of High Point University.
#GoHPU x #OnTheProwl
