Tramon Mark Game-Winner Lifts Texas Longhorns Past NC State 68-66 in NCAA First Four

March Madness 2026 opened with an instant classic in Dayton. Tramon Mark delivered one of the most clutch shots in Texas Longhorns basketball history, drilling a fadeaway jumper from the right wing with just 1.1 seconds left to give Texas a 68-66 victory over NC State in the NCAA First Four on Tuesday night. The Longhorns, who came within a single missed free throw of overtime, now live to fight another day — and Tramon Mark is the reason why.

Tramon Mark Hits Game-Winner With 1.1 Seconds Left Against NC State

Tramon Mark knocked down an 18-foot jumper from the right wing with 1.1 seconds left for his fifth career collegiate game-winning basket, having previously hit two game-winners while at Houston, one while at Arkansas, and now two during his time at Texas.

It was also the second big shot Mark hit in the final minute. He put the Longhorns up four with 37 seconds to go before NC State's Darrion Williams hit a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to one — and then Texas turned the ball over under a full-court press. The moment looked catastrophic. Mark made it legendary instead.

Texas vs NC State Final Score and Key Stats

Mark posted a team-high 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting, adding five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocked shots in 33 minutes of action.

Chendall Weaver recorded his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, providing a crucial bench boost on a night when top scorer Dailyn Swain struggled from the floor, finishing 2-of-9.

How NC State Rallied — And Why It Was Not Enough

The Longhorns led 62-53 on Chendall Weaver's two free throws with 2:56 remaining, but the Wolfpack scored 10 points in a rapid stretch to tie the game at 66 with 20 seconds left — erasing what had been a commanding Texas cushion in stunning fashion.

NC State's Tre Holloman was fouled with 18 seconds left and a chance to give the Wolfpack the lead. He made just one of two free throws, tying the game at 66 and leaving the door open for Mark's dagger. NC State's Ven-Allen Lubin fouling out with just 6 points and 5 rebounds left the Wolfpack vulnerable inside, where Texas capitalized throughout.

Texas Longhorns Basketball Now Faces BYU on Thursday

With the win, the Longhorns advance to the NCAA West Region First Round and will face No. 6 seed BYU in Portland, Oregon on Thursday, March 19 at 7:25 p.m. ET on TBS.

Texas coach Sean Miller, who won in the First Four for the second straight year with a different team, spoke about the mental challenge his squad overcame. He said the magnitude of advancing versus not can sometimes take over a player's mind in March, and that Mark's two incredible shots are the reason they are moving on.

NC State Basketball Season Ends With an 8-of-10 Skid

The loss ends the Will Wade era at NC State on a tough note. The Wolfpack ended the season having lost eight of their last 10 games after starting the year 18-6, showing all the promise of a tournament team before completely falling apart down the stretch.

Darrion Williams led all scorers in the Texas vs NC State game with 21 points — a remarkable individual performance that ultimately could not overcome NC State's collective late-game collapse and untimely turnovers.

Texas Longhorns Basketball March Madness Survival — Context and History

This marked the first buzzer-beater by the Longhorns in an NCAA Tournament game since Cameron Ridley hit a put-back as time expired to lift Texas to an 87-85 win over Arizona State in the 2014 Round of 64. The Longhorns improved to 41-42 all-time across 40 NCAA Tournament appearances.

Texas also dominated the glass, winning the rebound battle 45-33 — a plus-12 margin — including a 15-7 edge on the offensive boards. The Longhorns have outrebounded 27 of their first 33 opponents this season, a physical identity that kept them alive even when the shots stopped falling. March Madness 2026 is just getting started, and Texas Longhorns basketball is still in it.