WASHINGTON (AP) — In a stunning turn of events, Braylon Mullins seized a loose ball near midcourt, giving UConn a shot at an unforgettable win. With time winding down, Coach Dan Hurley felt a timeout wouldn’t help. “It was the moment for March Madness magic,” he said.
And magic it was. Mullins nailed a last-second 3-pointer, lifting UConn to a 73-72 victory over top-seeded Duke. The Huskies pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in tournament history, overcoming a 19-point deficit to secure their spot in the Final Four.
UConn struggled with their shooting, hitting just 5 of 23 from beyond the arc. But it was the fifth 3-pointer that made history. Duke had led the game comfortably until late in the second half, with UConn’s Silas Demary Jr. igniting the rally. His defensive play led to Mullins’ dramatic shot from 35 feet away.
“I knew I had to go for it,” said Mullins. “I’m just thrilled it went in.”
This year has been tough for Duke, as they faced another heartbreaking loss in the tournament. Coach Jon Scheyer expressed his disappointment, struggling to find the right words to comfort his team. Duke was the top overall seed, but for the second consecutive season, they fell short.
UConn is trying to chase down a national title for the third time in four years—a feat last accomplished by UCLA in the 1970s. Their next challenge is against third-seeded Illinois in the semifinals in Indianapolis.
Duke’s collapse is significant, as they previously led by six points with just over a minute remaining. This was the largest halftime lead blown by a No. 1 seed in tournament history. Only Louisville had a more significant comeback in regional final history, overcoming a 20-point deficit in 2005.
Cameron Boozer’s last-minute basket momentarily kept Duke in the lead, but UConn seized their opportunity. UConn’s defense put pressure on Boozer, forcing a critical turnover that sparked Mullins’ game-winning moment.
Historically, such moments define tournaments, akin to classic finishes like Christian Laettner’s shot in 1992. Mullins’ shot may well be remembered alongside those iconic college basketball moments.
UConn’s resilience is remarkable. They boast an 18-game winning streak in the Sweet 16 and beyond—a run that began after a loss to Michigan State in the 2009 Final Four.
For Duke, the expectations loom large as rumors swirl about Cameron Boozer’s potential jump to the NBA. His departure could have significant implications for the team’s future. As both UConn and Duke navigate through this challenging tournament landscape, fans can only wonder what will happen next.
For ongoing updates on March Madness, visit the AP NCAA Men’s Bracket.
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