Even though it looked like their surprise offensive would fail after some heroics from Solo Ball at the end of regulation, Tyrese Hunter and Memphis picked up a big win to open the Maui Invitational on Monday morning.

Hunter and the Tigers stunned No. 2 UConn 99-97 on Monday at Maui’s Lahaina Civic Center to open the legendary Feast Week tournament – this week for the first time since deadly fires broke out on the island in 2023 Returning to Maui has led the Tigers to a perfect 5-0 this season and sent them to the semifinals, where they will face Michigan State on Tuesday.

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

Memphis looked like it would clinch the regulation victory after taking a 13-point lead late in the second half. The Tigers had all the momentum and UConn — despite a 40-40 tie at halftime — appeared to be dead in the water. But suddenly the Huskies went on an 18:5 run to end the second half. Ball capped this tear with just under a second left with a perfect three-pointer from the wing, sending the game into overtime.

UConn capitalized on that momentum and took the early jump into overtime. However, Memphis didn’t let up – and the Tigers took full advantage of a mistake by UConn head coach Dan Hurley. Memphis tied the game on a 3-pointer from Colby Rogers, and then Tigers guard PJ Carter hit four straight free throws just seconds later after Liam McNeeley called a foul on the back at the other end. That foul triggered a foul for Hurley and earned him a technical foul, resulting in a seven-point penalty.

Here was the foul in question:

That was enough to keep Memphis in front the rest of the way. Carter had all nine points in overtime, thanks to a 3-pointer before the technical and two free throws afterward to keep the Tigers ahead and ultimately give them the victory. UConn took one last look at the buzzer but couldn’t sound it a second time. While Hurley’s technical foul didn’t directly cause the loss, it certainly opened the door for the Tigers at the worst possible time.

Hurley doesn’t think his technique cost the Huskies the game. Instead, he thought, “It was the crappy calls.”

Hunter finished the win with 26 points on seven 3-pointers for the Tigers. PJ Haggerty added 22 points and five assists and Rogers finished the game with 19 points. They shot nearly 55% as a team from both the field and behind the arc.

Tarris Reed led UConn with 22 points and 11 rebounds off the bench in the loss. Alex Karaban finished the game with 19 points and McNeeley had 10 points and four rebounds. The Huskies, who started the week as favorites, will now face loser Colorado-Michigan State on the consolation side of the group on Tuesday.

UConn was easily the favorite in its half of the group, which now clears a path for coach Penny Hardaway and the Tigers to advance to the title game on Wednesday. However, No. 4 Auburn, No. 5 Iowa State and No. 12 North Carolina are all on the other side of the bracket, so a Hawaii championship before Thanksgiving will be far from easy.

But regardless of what happens in the coming days, Memphis now has a big win under its belt. For a team that lost eight of its last 15 games last season and missed the NCAA Tournament, a win over a top-five team right at the start of the season is a major accomplishment.