Tyrese Hunter, Memphis hangs on late in overtime to beat No. 2 UConn in the opening game of the Maui Invitational

Although it looked like their upset bid would come up short after some heroics from Solo Ball at the end of regulation, Tyrese Hunter and Memphis picked up a huge win to kick off the Maui Invitational on Monday morning.

Hunter and the Tigers stunned no. 2 UConn 99-97 Monday at the Lahaina Civic Center in Maui to open the iconic Feast Week tournament — which returned to Maui this week for the first time since deadly wildfires broke out on the island in 2023. pushed the Tigers to a perfect 5- 0 on the season and moved them into the semifinals, where they will face either Colorado or Michigan State on Tuesday.

The Huskies, who are coming off back-to-back national championships, have now lost their first game since February 20th. It ended a 17-game winning streak.

Memphis looked to pull out the win in regulation after jumping up by 13 points late in the second half. The Tigers had all the momentum, and UConn — despite going into halftime tied 40-40 — appeared to be dead in the water. But suddenly the Huskies rattled off an 18-5 run to end the second half. Ball covered that tear with a perfect 3-pointer from the wing with just over a second remaining, sending the game into overtime.

UConn also got the jump in the extended period, but the Tigers didn’t go away. Memphis tied the game with about a minute left on a 3-pointer by Colby Rogers. Tigers guard PJ Carter also hit four free throws a few seconds later after Liam McNeely was called for an over-the-back foul that drew a technical foul from Huskies coach Dan Hurley. In all, it was a seven-point swing for the Tigers that suddenly brought them four.

Carter had all nine of his points in overtime after he hit an early 3-pointer and then added two more free throws, eventually giving the Tigers enough to push to the two-point victory. UConn had one last look to win the game at the buzzer, but it didn’t fall. Hurley’s technical foul completely changed the momentum in overtime and allowed the Tigers to grab the win.

The Tigers will now face either Colorado or Michigan State in the semifinals on Tuesday. The Huskies were the favorite to enter the tournament, but the No. 4 Auburn, no. 5 Iowa State and no. 12 North Carolina are all on the other side of the bracket.

This post will be updated with more information soon.