Memphis Stuns No. 2 UConn in Overtime Thriller at Maui Invitational
LAHAINA, Hawaii — The Maui Invitational delivered an instant classic on Monday night as the Memphis Tigers pulled off a jaw-dropping 99-97 overtime upset against the second-ranked UConn Huskies. In a game that had everything from clutch shots to controversial calls, Memphis proved they’re a team to watch this season. And leading the charge? None other than Tyrese Hunter, who was nothing short of spectacular.
Hunter poured in 26 points, with 17 of those coming after halftime, to guide Memphis (5-0) to victory. The sharpshooting guard was on fire from beyond the arc, hitting 7 of 10 three-pointers. His performance was the spark Memphis needed to take down the two-time defending national champions, UConn (4-1), in the first round of the prestigious tournament.
But Hunter wasn’t the only Tiger making noise. PJ Haggerty added 22 points and dished out five assists, while Colby Rogers chipped in 19 points. Dain Dainja also made his presence felt with 14 points. Memphis as a team was lights out from deep, shooting an impressive 12 of 22 from three-point range.
UConn’s Resilience Falls Just Short
For UConn, the loss snapped a 17-game winning streak that dated back to February. Despite the defeat, the Huskies showed why they’re one of the top teams in the nation. Tarris Reed Jr. was a force off the bench, recording a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Alex Karaban contributed 19 points and six assists, while Jaylin Stewart added 16 points.
UConn’s comeback effort was nothing short of heroic. Down by as many as 13 points with just four minutes left in regulation, the Huskies clawed their way back. The defining moment came when Solo Ball drained a clutch three-pointer with just 1.2 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime. The momentum seemed to be shifting in UConn’s favor, but Memphis had other plans.
Key Moments and Controversy
Overtime was a back-and-forth battle, but the game’s turning point came with less than a minute to play. With the score tied at 92, UConn head coach Dan Hurley was hit with a technical foul after voicing his frustration over an over-the-back call against Liam McNeeley. The technical proved costly, as PJ Carter calmly sank four consecutive free throws—two for the technical and two for the personal foul—giving Memphis a 96-92 lead with just 40.3 seconds left.
UConn had one last chance to steal the win, but Hassan Diarra’s desperation three-pointer at the buzzer fell short, sealing the Tigers’ victory. The Huskies’ frustration was compounded by foul trouble, as three of their players fouled out. Memphis capitalized on their trips to the charity stripe, attempting 40 free throws and converting 29 of them.
Takeaways
- Memphis: The Tigers came into the game ranked second nationally in field goal percentage, and they lived up to the hype, shooting 54.7% from the field. Their ability to hit big shots and stay composed in crunch time was the difference-maker.
- UConn: The Huskies’ 17-game winning streak is over, but their resilience and depth were on full display. Despite the loss, UConn remains a powerhouse and will undoubtedly bounce back.
What’s Next?
The road doesn’t get any easier for Memphis, as they’ll face the winner of the Colorado vs. Michigan State matchup in the second round of the Maui Invitational on Tuesday. Meanwhile, UConn will look to regroup in the consolation bracket, where they’ll take on the loser of that same game.
One thing is for sure: this year’s Maui Invitational is already living up to its reputation as one of college basketball’s premier early-season tournaments. If Monday’s thriller is any indication, fans are in for a wild ride.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
