Furman delivers 1st upset of 2023 NCAA Tournament with dramatic final sequence
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Furman is moving on to the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament.
The No. 13-seeded Paladins beat No. 4 Virginia 68-67 on Thursday afternoon thanks to a wild final sequence. Facing a 2-point deficit in the game’s final seconds, Furman was able to steal the ball and hit a last-second 3-pointer to secure the win.
Furman was able to successfully trap Kihei Clark in the back court. Rather than call timeout, he threw a wild heave toward mid-court. A Furman player intercepted the ball and, one pass later, the Paladins took the lead on an open 3-pointer.
Here’s the final sequence:
It only took until the end of the second game for an instant classic. March Madness always delivers. pic.twitter.com/69j5MvC1Yt
— Taylor Vippolis (@tvippolis) March 16, 2023
That’s JP Pegues who made the game-winning shot. After the game, he explained the final sequence.
“I knew when we got the stop, my teammates would be looking for shooters,” he said. “My teammates believe in me, they love me, they trust me and I love them back. I just had full confidence. I missed all night … but winners make big shots and I call myself a winner.”
?@LaurenShehadi (reporter) with JP Pegues of Furman #CBB #MBB pic.twitter.com/WUVbKmYec0
— Announcer Schedules (@announcerskeds) March 16, 2023
This was Furman’s 1st NCAA Tournament appearance since 1980. The Paladins hadn’t advanced in the Big Dance since 1974.
Here’s the best of the reaction to Furman’s big win:
Congratulations to Furman on the first time in recorded history that a quick 2 actually worked in a college basketball game
— Shehan Jeyarajah (@ShehanJeyarajah) March 16, 2023
everyone who picked Furman to upset Virginia: pic.twitter.com/UwI8UGX4iC
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) March 16, 2023
My wife works remote and was in an important meeting for the final minutes of Virginia-Furman.
I yelled louder than Mel Gibson in Braveheart after the final shot.
Professionally, the tournament is off to a great start.
Personally, she may change the locks by the Sweet 16.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 16, 2023
I’m friends with Furman coach Bob Richey’s cousin Joe. This is his real-time reaction to the Paladins miracle. pic.twitter.com/halHED7LHj
— Alex Hickey (@bigahickey) March 16, 2023
FURMAN STUNS VIRGINIA IN LAST SECOND SHOT ? pic.twitter.com/LJ5JuqaB2C
— ESPN (@espn) March 16, 2023
THAT’S NOT A FURBOY, IT’S A FURMAN
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) March 16, 2023
Simply unreal.
Kihei Clark had one of the headiest plays in 2019 to help SAVE VIRGINIA vs. Purdue on its way to the NCAA Tournament title.
In 2023, he makes a prayer of a pass that lands in the hands of FURMAN AND THE PALADINS PULL OFF AN INSTANT MARCH MADNESS CLASSIC UPSET.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 16, 2023
The Dark Side of March is real.
Furman SHOCKS Virginia.
An absolutely crushing end to Kihei Clark's college career.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 16, 2023
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
