Furman hero JP Pegues: I’ve watched the game-winning clip ‘at least 50 times’

After 24 hours, Pegues reflected on his game-winning shot to send Furman to its first NCAA Tournament win since 1974.

ORLANDO, Fla. — When JP Pegues sent No. 14 seed Furman to its upset win over No. 4 Virginia on Thursday, it was a moment the sophomore had experienced before and was more than prepared for.

It was March 2020 when Pegues hit a game-winning 3-pointer to send Hillsboro High (Nashville, Tennessee) to the Class AAA state tournament as a junior. The shot was something that even drew Furman head coach Bob Richey to Pegues.

“That’s why we recruited him so hard,” Richey said. “We watched his clutch clips, and I watched him do something very similar (to his shot on Thursday) in a huge state playoff game. When I saw the ball go up, I knew it was going in.”

So did Pegues.

With the Paladins’ season on the line on Thursday, the ball found Pegues in a wild scramble. Without hesitation, Pegues promptly let the ball go and drained the 3-pointer to send Furman to its first win in the NCAA Tournament since 1974.

“It was just a familiar situation,” Pegues said. “I remember that same feeling in high school when I knew the game was on the line and a play had to be made. I just remember me craving, wanting that. Knowing that the season is on the line, how much of a competitor I am and how much I want to win. I just remember in high school, specifically, telling my coach (Rodney Thweatt): ‘Coach, I got this one. I got us.’ That was kind of the same mindset that I had when Garrett (Hien) got that steal yesterday and I knew he was looking for me. As soon as I caught it, I just had the full belief that the shot was going in.”

Pegues and Furman have had about 24 hours to reflect on the moment. The coaching staff and players have heard from friends, family members and Furman alumni since pulling off the upset win. Some former players were even in attendance cheering them on at Amway Center.

While the team now turns its attention to fifth-seeded San Diego State on Saturday (12:10 p.m. EDT, CBS), Pegues can’t help reflecting on that moment and the history he helped make.

“(I’ve watched it) numerous times, like back to back,” Pegues said. “It has been at least 50 times I’ve watched that specific clip. I was just so numb to the fact at first. I couldn’t believe it.”

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