Memphis triumphed over No. 2 UConn with a thrilling 99-97 overtime victory to kick off the Maui Invitational on Monday. Tyrese Hunter emerged as the standout performer, scoring 17 of his total 26 points in the second half, showcasing his clutch shooting ability when it mattered most.
Demonstrating impressive accuracy, Hunter connected on 7-of-10 attempts from beyond the arc, contributing to the Tigers’ overall success as they hit 12-of-22 three-pointers. His teammates also made significant contributions, with PJ Haggerty netting 22 points and dishing out five assists, while Colby Rogers added 19 points and Dain Dainja chipped in 14.
On the opposing side, Tarris Reed Jr. was a key player for UConn, finishing with 22 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Alex Karaban and Jaylin Stewart also made their mark, scoring 19 and 16 points, respectively, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
Memphis built a commanding lead of 13 points with just four minutes left in regulation. However, UConn fought back fiercely, managing to tie the game with a last-second three-pointer from Solo Ball, sending the match into overtime.
Takeaways
For Memphis, the Tigers entered the game as the second-best team in the nation for field goal percentage, and they maintained that reputation by shooting an impressive 54.7% overall.
Conversely, UConn’s defeat marked the end of their remarkable 17-game winning streak dating back to February, a streak that had positioned them as a formidable contender.
Key moment
With the score tied at 92 and less than a minute remaining in overtime, UConn coach Dan Hurley received a technical foul for arguing an over-the-back call against Liam McNeeley. This pivotal moment allowed PJ Carter to capitalize, sinking four consecutive free throws — two from the technical and two from the personal foul — giving Memphis a crucial 96-92 lead with just 40.3 seconds left on the clock.
[Related: Check out John Fanta’s latest college basketball rankings]
Key stat
UConn faced significant challenges, as three of their players fouled out during the intense matchup. Meanwhile, Memphis capitalized by attempting 40 free throws and converting 29 of them, a testament to their aggressive play style.
Up next
Looking ahead, Memphis is set to face the winner of the Colorado-Michigan State matchup on Tuesday in the second round of the Maui Invitational. UConn will compete against the loser of that game in the consolation bracket, hoping to bounce back from this hard-fought defeat.
