WASHINGTON : In one of the most dramatic finishes of this year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, No. 2 seed UConn mounted a stunning rally over No. 1 Duke on Sunday, completing a 19-point comeback and earning a place in the Final Four with a 73-72 victory that will be remembered for years.
With just 0.4 seconds left on the clock, freshman Braylon Mullins, who had missed his first four 3-point attempts, launched a deep three from well beyond the arc. As the buzzer sounded, the shot fell through the net, sealing an improbable win for the Huskies and sending the UConn bench and fans into a frenzy.
“Still a loss of words,” Mullins said after the game. “Still processing all of what just happened. Man, I’m just happy that was the one that went down tonight.”
Momentum Swing
Duke looked in control for much of the evening. The Blue Devils built a 19-point lead in the first half behind efficient offense and strong play from Cameron Boozer, who finished with 27 points. But UConn chipped away in the second half, using timely baskets and pressure defense to shift the momentum.
With the score tied and Duke trying to run out the clock in the final seconds, a deflected inbound pass led to a scramble. UConn’s Silas Demary Jr. secured the loose ball and found Mullins, who calmly let fly the heaving shot that became the game’s defining moment.
UConn’s Resilience
Forward Tarris Reed Jr. led the Huskies with 26 points and nine rebounds, making a critical impact throughout the comeback. Despite struggling from long range (UConn finished 5-of-23 from three), the team’s resolve never wavered.
Head coach Dan Hurley, whose squad has battled injuries this season, emphasized the mindset that carried UConn through: “We believe we’re supposed to win this time of year.”
UConn (33-5) advances to the Final Four for the third time in four seasons and will face No. 3 Illinois on April 4 in Indianapolis. The Huskies are seeking to add another national title, having won championships the last two times they reached the semifinals.
For Duke (35-3), the season ends in heartache after a dominant regular season and ACC title. Despite the loss, coach Jon Scheyer’s squad fought hard, but now their quest for a national championship comes to a sudden halt.
Discussion about this post