No. 2 UConn fell again in Maui, suffering a narrow defeat to Colorado with a final score of 73-72, thanks to a late off-balance layup by Andrej Jakimovski with just 8 seconds remaining. This marked the second consecutive loss for the two-time defending national champions at the Maui Invitational.
Following a heart-wrenching 99-97 overtime loss to Memphis, which had left Huskies coach Dan Hurley frustrated with the officiating, UConn (4-2) struggled to overcome the unranked Buffaloes (5-1). Colorado showcased impressive shooting, hitting 62.5% of their shots in the second half.
As the clock wound down and Colorado trailed 72-71, Jakimovski made a decisive move to his right, drawing contact from UConn’s Liam McNeeley. He released the ball toward the backboard, scoring despite hitting the floor. UConn’s Hassan Diarra had a chance to clinch the game but missed a 3-pointer as time expired.
Elijah Malone and Julian Hammond III were standout performers for Colorado, each contributing 16 points, while Jakimovski added a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. UConn’s McNeeley led his team with 20 points, but it was not enough to secure a victory.
The Huskies had a solid start, leading 40-32 at halftime and maintaining a nine-point advantage early in the second half. However, the Buffaloes quickly closed the gap, showcasing their resilience and determination.
Takeaways
UConn: Hurley’s team is now facing a significant challenge, as they arrived in Maui with a 17-game winning streak that extended back to February. This recent downturn may test the team’s character and resolve.
Colorado: After struggling in their previous game against Michigan State, where they recorded season lows in points (56) and field goal percentage (37%), the Buffaloes rebounded strongly. They shot 51.1% overall and an impressive 56.3% (9 of 16) from beyond the arc against the Huskies.
Key moment
In a pivotal moment, Hurley called a timeout to strategize for the Huskies’ final possession. However, the Buffaloes’ defense forced them into a difficult contested 3-point attempt.
Key stat
Colorado managed to out-rebound UConn 28-26, a significant improvement after being out-rebounded 42-29 by Michigan State in their previous game.
Up next
Looking ahead, Colorado will face the winner of the Iowa State-Dayton matchup in the fifth-place game on Wednesday. Meanwhile, UConn will take on the loser of that game in the seventh-place contest.
