Tyrese Hunter's 26 Points Propel Memphis to 99-97 Overtime Upset over No. 2 UConn at Maui Invitational

Nov 25, 2024, 10:25 PM

Memphis secured a stunning 99-97 overtime victory against No. 2 UConn in the opening game of the Maui Invitational. Tyrese Hunter led the Tigers with 26 points, tying his career high by hitting seven three-pointers on 12 attempts, shooting 54.5% from beyond the arc. The game was tied at 40 at halftime, and Memphis led by as many as 12 points with 3:18 remaining in regulation. UConn, the two-time defending NCAA champions, rallied to force overtime. In the extra period, Memphis held a 96-92 lead with 40.3 seconds left and ultimately clinched the upset, snapping UConn's 17-game winning streak that dated back to last season. After hitting his seventh three-pointer, Hunter exclaimed, "I've been him!" Coach Penny Hardaway described the victory as the biggest win of his coaching career, stating, "I'm not taking any of this for granted." With this win, Memphis improved to 5-0 and extended its streak to five consecutive victories against AP-ranked opponents dating back to last season, making a significant early-season statement.