March Madness 2026: TCU's Xavier Edmonds Stuns Ohio State with Game-Winning Shot The opening game of the 2026 men’s NCAA tournament delivered a thrilling upset as No. 9 TCU’s Xavier Edmonds hit a last-second shot to secure a 66-64 victory over No. 8 Ohio State in the East region. With just 4.3 seconds remaining, Edmonds launched a deep three-pointer at the rim, sending the Horned Frogs into the second round. The dramatic finish underscored the high stakes and unpredictability of March Madness, setting the tone for a competitive tournament. Ohio State had clawed back from a 15-point halftime deficit, mounting an 11-1 run to take a 55-50 lead with 6:19 left in the game. However, TCU’s resilience shone through as the team closed the gap in the final minutes. The Buckeyes’ struggles at the end of the game were evident, as they made just one of their last seven field goals. Despite the late surge, Ohio State’s inability to convert key shots proved costly, allowing TCU to reclaim the lead. The first half saw TCU dominate, leading 39-24 after shooting 7-of-13 from beyond the arc. However, the Frogs’ offensive efficiency dropped sharply in the second half, as they connected on only 9-of-28 shots and 2-of-10 three-pointers. This decline enabled Ohio State to chip away at the deficit, setting the stage for the tense final minutes. Edmonds’ game-winning shot came after Ohio State called its final timeout, but the Buckeyes’ last-ditch effort fell short. Bruce Thornton’s half-court attempt at the buzzer missed the rim, sealing TCU’s win. The victory highlighted Edmonds’ clutch performance, as he finished with 16 points and became one of three TCU players in double figures. Micah Robinson led all scorers with 18 points, while David Punch added 16 points and 13 rebounds.#tcu #ohio_state #bruce_thornton #march_madness_2026 #xavier_edmonds
