Memphis upsets Connecticut in Maui Invitational overtime thriller

On By Littum

game

After a great start to last season, Penny Hardaway and Memphis faltered in the latter half of the schedule and missed the NCAA men’s tournament. Almost the entire guard disappeared, and Hardaway had to enter the portal, while the pressure only intensified.

The Tigers took the first step toward a turnaround season, taking down the defending back-to-back national champions Connecticut 99-97 in an overtime thriller in the first round of the Maui Invitational.

The Huskies didn’t enter the season with the same dominant team that cruised to last season’s national title, but with Dan Hurley still at the helm along with some returning and new additions, they remained one of the favorites to be the last team to stood in April. One of the most prominent early season tournaments in college basketball, this season’s Maui Invitational once again brought a stacked field with four teams in the top 13 of USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

But not many expected to see Memphis play a complete game against the Huskies and cause more than the usual frustrations of Hurley’s sideline antics. Memphis’ win ended UConn’s 17-game winning streak dating back to last season.

It was a close game throughout the first half, with the Tigers playing such a good first 20 minutes that it would take another near-perfect effort in the second half to end the day with a win. That’s almost what happened outside the break.

Tyrese Hunter, a transfer from Texas, led the way on the offensive end with jumper after jumper going in and the Tigers had a 13-point lead with less than five minutes remaining. He finished the game with a game-high 26 points with seven 3-pointers.

UConn didn’t go easy, though. In the final three minutes, the Huskies started making threes and forced Memphis into fouls to end regulation on a 13-3 run, capped by Solo Ball drilling a last-second 3-pointer to send the game to overtime.

The Huskies appeared to have momentum in early overtime, taking a four-point lead into regulation. But Memphis didn’t waver. When UConn made a bucket, Memphis came right back.

The score was level in the final minute when Hurley got in his own way. He contested a foul call against Huskies forward Liam McNeely and was called for a technical foul. Memphis guard PJ Carter sank the ensuing four free throws to give the Tigers the lead.

But they did not secure the win until a miss by Hassan Diara at the buzzer.