No. 12 High Point falls short of Sweet Sixteen bid after four-seeded Arkansas late

No. 12 High Point caught everyone’s attention 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 slipped away from them on Saturday night.

High Point led by as many as five early in the game, and were up 56-52 with 14:17 left after a 12-2 run.

Both teams traded buckets for several minutes, with no one extending their respective leads by more than three points for a 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 game of the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Image Images)

With 7:04 left, the Panthers took a 72-71 lead, to which the Razorbacks responded with a 10-2 run, putting them up by seven and giving them their biggest 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) drives 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 NCAA men’s tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Image Images)

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Arkansas was favored by 11.5, and although 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. topped 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 game of the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament at Moda Center. (Craig Strobeck/Image Images)

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High Point’s win over Wisconsin on Thursday marked its first in March Madness after reaching the tournament last year for the first time.

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