Elite 4 Texas Dominates NC State 68-66 in Thrilling Finale!
The graduate guard made two late jumpers, including the game winner, to advance the Horns out of the First Four.
Mar 17, 2026; Dayton, OH, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) shoots the ball over NC State Wolfpack forward Darrion Williams (1) in the second half during a first four game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at University of Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images Three three-pointers by the NC State Wolfpack late in the game nearly overcame an eight-point lead by the Texas Longhorns in the First Four at UD Arena in Dayton on Tuesday night, but incredible late-game and late-clock shot making by graduate guard Tramon Mark willed the Horns to a 68-66 victory. Mark scored six of his 17 points in the final 3:18 to key the win for the Horns, initially punctuated by a driving slam to put Texas up by seven points.
Tramon Mark drops the HAMMER 🔨 #MarchMadness @TexasMBB pic. twitter. com/EKtnitBjtp — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 18, 2026 Free throws made after fast breaks by senior guard Chendall Weaver and junior wing Dailyn Swain appeared to put the Longhorns in position to close out the game without much drama, but 12 seconds after the made free throws by Swain, the Wolfpack hit a three.
Against full-court pressure, senior guard Jordan Pope turned the ball over and a good defensive recovery by Mark wasn’t enough to keep NC State guard Paul McNeill Jr. from hitting another three to make it a two-point game. On an ugly offensive possession by the Longhorns, Mark saved it by hitting a trademark contested jumper before Darrion Williams hit a three with 30 seconds left.
After another pass into the corner against the Wolfpack press, Swain turned it over to give NC State extra life, leading to a shooting foul called on Pope. Guard Tre Holloman, an 80-percent free-throw shooter, missed the first and make the second to set up the potential for overtime, but Mark called game with one second remaining on another difficult, contested jumper to send Texas through to the first round of the NCAA Tournament. ARE YOU KIDDING!!!