Colorado Stuns No. 2 UConn with Thrilling Last-Second Victory
LAHAINA, Hawaii — The Maui Invitational delivered yet another jaw-dropping moment on Tuesday as unranked Colorado pulled off a stunning upset over No. 2 UConn, handing the two-time defending national champions their second loss in as many days. The Buffaloes edged out the Huskies 73-72, thanks to a clutch, off-balance layup by Andrej Jakimovski with just eight seconds left on the clock.
For UConn, this loss comes on the heels of a grueling 99-97 overtime defeat to Memphis on Monday, a game that left Huskies head coach Dan Hurley visibly frustrated with the officiating. Tuesday’s matchup was no less dramatic, as Colorado (5-1) refused to back down, shooting an impressive 62.5% in the second half to keep pace with the powerhouse Huskies (4-2).
According to ESPN Research, UConn is now just the fifth ranked team in AP Poll history to lose by two points or fewer on consecutive days. The last time this happened? Michigan dropped back-to-back one-point games to UTEP and Texas Tech in December 1983. That’s nearly 41 years ago, folks. Talk about a rare and painful piece of history for the Huskies.
How It All Went Down
With the game on the line and Colorado trailing 72-71 in the final seconds, Jakimovski took matters into his own hands. Driving to his right, he absorbed contact from UConn’s Liam McNeeley and somehow managed to toss the ball toward the glass. The shot fell, and Jakimovski hit the floor, but the Buffaloes had the lead. UConn had one last chance, but Hassan Diarra missed a contested three-pointer at the buzzer, sealing the upset for Colorado.
Jakimovski finished the game with 12 points and 10 rebounds, but he wasn’t the only Buffalo to shine. Elijah Malone and Julian Hammond III each chipped in 16 points, helping Colorado overcome a nine-point deficit early in the second half. Meanwhile, McNeeley led UConn with 20 points, but it wasn’t enough to fend off the surging Buffaloes.
Takeaways from the Game
- UConn’s Adversity: This is unfamiliar territory for Hurley’s squad, which came into the Maui Invitational riding a 17-game winning streak dating back to February. Two straight losses, especially in such close fashion, will test the Huskies’ resilience moving forward.
- Colorado’s Bounce-Back: The Buffaloes showed incredible grit after being held to season lows in points (56) and field goal percentage (37%) in a 16-point loss to Michigan State on Monday. Against UConn, they shot 51.1% overall and a blistering 56.3% (9-of-16) from beyond the arc.
Key Moments and Stats
One of the game’s defining moments came in the final possession. Hurley called a timeout to draw up a play for UConn, but Colorado’s defense forced the Huskies into a contested three-pointer that missed the mark. It was a fitting end to a game where the Buffaloes’ defense stepped up when it mattered most.
Another key stat? Colorado’s rebounding. After being out-rebounded 42-29 by Michigan State, the Buffaloes turned things around with a 28-26 edge on the glass against UConn. That extra effort on the boards made a huge difference in such a tightly contested game.
What’s Next?
The Maui Invitational isn’t over yet. Colorado will face the winner of the Iowa-Dayton matchup in the fifth-place game on Wednesday, while UConn will take on the loser of that game in the seventh-place contest. For the Huskies, it’s a chance to regroup and salvage something from what’s been a tough tournament. For the Buffaloes, it’s an opportunity to build on this momentum and prove they’re a team to watch this season.
As the dust settles on this thrilling upset, one thing is clear: college basketball is as unpredictable and exciting as ever. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, games like this remind us why we love the sport. Stay tuned, because the season is just getting started.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
