Chase Johnston Glorifies Jesus After Scoring Miracle Game Winner in High Point's First Ever March Madness Victory

High Point Guard Chase Johnston Gives Glory to God After Historic March Madness Upset Over Wisconsin

No. 12 seed High Point University pulled off the first upset of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on Thursday, stunning No. 5 Wisconsin 83 to 82 in Portland, Oregon, in what became a historic moment for the Panthers program.

Guard Chase Johnston, 26, scored the game winning basket, a breakaway layup with just 11.7 seconds remaining, to seal the school's first ever March Madness victory. It was Johnston's first two point basket of the entire season. The sharpshooter had made 64 of 132 three pointers this year but was 0 for 4 inside the arc heading into the game.

After the buzzer, Johnston immediately directed attention to his faith.

First and foremost, I wanna give all glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Johnston explained that the team is united around John 15:13, which reads: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."

We're built on John 15:13. We serve each other, we love each other, and we'd die for each other.

Rob Martin led High Point with 23 points and 10 assists, while Owen Aquino blocked a critical Wisconsin shot in the final seconds to preserve the win. Wisconsin's Nick Boyd had 27 points and John Blackwell added 22 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

Johnston has been open about how faith transformed his life. He has said that Jesus "saved my life three years ago" after his brother had a candid conversation with him about the Gospel. His jersey number 99 references the biblical parable of the Good Shepherd leaving 99 sheep to find the one that is lost.

His social media profiles include citations from Matthew 6:33 and Colossians 3:17. Following the Panthers' second round elimination by Arkansas, Johnston told reporters that "suffering is so good for us as followers of Jesus."

High Point University is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and located in High Point, North Carolina. The Panthers earned their tournament berth by winning the Big South Conference title for the second consecutive year.

Chase Johnston's Faith Testimony and John 15:13 Motto Behind High Point's NCAA Tournament Miracle

Johnston has expressed a desire to pursue pastoral ministry after basketball, saying he wants to "lead people by example." The team shares a Bible verse before every game, breaking it down within 30 seconds before taking the court.

The Crusader's Opinion

This is what happens when a team puts Christ at the center. While the rest of the sports world obsesses over NIL deals and transfer portals, Chase Johnston and the High Point Panthers showed America what real unity looks like. John 15:13 is not just a motto on a locker room wall. It is the blueprint for how men are supposed to live. Laying down your life for your brothers. Serving something greater than yourself. That kind of selfless love does not come from a coaching playbook. It comes from the King of Kings. Every athlete with a platform should be taking notes.

Take Action

• Share Chase Johnston's postgame testimony with a young person in your life who needs to see a Christ centered role model in sports.
• Read John 15:13 with your family tonight and discuss what it means to lay down your life for others.
• Support Christian athletes by following and encouraging them on social media when they publicly glorify God.
• Pray for the High Point Panthers and their continued witness, especially as they face the pressures of public attention.
• Consider supporting campus ministries that disciple college athletes at Athletes in Action or Fellowship of Christian Athletes.