Former Moeller basketball standout Alex Williams helps No. 13 Furman upset No. 4 Virginia

The first upset of March Madness came early on the opening day of the 2023 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament and one former Greater Cincinnati basketball standout helped it happen.

Alex Williams, a 2021 Moeller High School graduate, scored 6 points and grabbed a rebound off the bench in No. 13 Furman's thrilling 68-67 victory over No. 4 Virginia Thursday afternoon at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.

Furman sophomore J.P. Pegues, whom Garrett Hien found after a steal, hit a 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left to secure the win.

More:Pat Kelsey: 5 things to know about the Charleston basketball coach and Cincinnati native

Williams scored four of his points in the first half, including a 3-pointer. Furman trailed by double-digits in the second half before rallying late in the game on a turnover and game-winning three-pointer from sophomore guard J.P. Pegues.

In 27 games this season, Williams, a sophomore, is averaging 6.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting 46.2% from the field.

Williams committed to Furman in June 2020 before his senior season.

Over three seasons at Moeller, Williams was a three-time all-conference selection (twice earning first-team honors). He was second-team All-Ohio as a senior in 2021 and honorable mention All-Ohio in 2020.

Moeller went 75-6 during Williams' career with the Crusaders. He was a sophomore averaging 8.4 points and 2.6 rebounds a game during Moeller's undefeated (29-0) state championship run in 2019. Moeller reached the Division I regional championship game (Elite 8) the next season, but the postseason was canceled due to the pandemic. In Williams' final season, Moeller fell to Centerville in the regional final.