March Madness kicked off with a bang as former Kentucky Wildcat Dwight Perry guided the Wofford Terriers to a dramatic Southern Conference (SoCon) championship win over Furman in Asheville. In a game that felt far more intense than a typical 5 vs. 6 matchup, both teams combined for an incredible 27 three-pointers, delivering nonstop excitement.
Wofford built an eight-point lead with seven minutes to play, but a flurry of Furman threes and six costly turnovers in a three-minute span nearly derailed their hopes. As the Paladins surged ahead with a 9-0 run, the ESPN broadcast shared Perry’s final message to his team: “The team who has the most mental toughness down the stretch is going to win.” His words proved prophetic.
Down by four with just 2:30 remaining, Wofford responded with near-perfect execution. They capitalized on an easy transition layup and then nailed a clutch three-pointer to reclaim the lead. Furman had two late opportunities to tie the game, but both attempts fell short. The Terriers ended the game on an 11-0 run, sealing a thrilling 92-85 victory and punching their ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019.
Perry, making his return to the Big Dance as a head coach, was a former walk-on at Kentucky, famously inserted into the starting lineup in the 2007 NCAA Tournament. Now, he’s leading Wofford on its own Cinderella run.
The Granny Shooter Steals the Show
While former Murray State player Jackson Sivills led Wofford with 20 points and four three-pointers, another Terrier captured national attention—Kyler Filewich. The 6-foot-9 center, known for his scrappy play in the paint, stunned viewers by shooting free throws underhand, old-school “granny style.” Despite making just three of seven attempts, he hit crucial shots late in the game to help secure the win.
Troy Joins the Big Dance
Elsewhere in Championship Week action, Troy secured an NCAA Tournament berth by defeating Arkansas State 94-81 in the Sun Belt title game. After trailing by three with six minutes to play, the Trojans went on a dominant 17-2 run to claim their first tournament bid since 2017.
As March Madness heats up, Wofford and Troy will look to keep the magic alive in the NCAA Tournament.
