UConn Stuns Duke with Last-Second Three-Pointer in March Madness Thriller
In a heart-stopping finish that will be etched in NCAA Tournament lore, Braylon Mullins sank a desperation three-pointer with just 0.4 seconds remaining to propel UConn to a stunning 73-72 victory over top-seeded Duke on Sunday. This miraculous shot secured the Huskies a spot in the Final Four, capping an incredible comeback from a 15-point first-half deficit.
Dramatic Final Moments Seal Shock Win
The Blue Devils appeared poised for victory, holding a three-point lead with only 10 seconds left on the clock. UConn's Silas Demary Jr. managed to make one of two free throws, narrowing the gap to two points. As Duke attempted to run out the clock, Cayden Boozer's pass near midcourt was deflected, allowing UConn to regain possession. Mullins then launched a shot from well beyond the three-point line, sending the ball through the net as the buzzer sounded.
"I saw three seconds [were left on the clock] and it was the last shot," Mullins told CBS after the game. "Just happy to see that shit go in. I'm so happy."
Historic Collapse for Duke
This loss marks the second consecutive season ending in a devastating collapse for Duke, who entered the tournament as the top overall seed. Historically, No. 1 seeds were a perfect 134-0 when leading by 15 points or more at halftime in the NCAA Tournament; that record now stands at 134-1.
Duke coach Jon Scheyer expressed his profound disappointment, stating, "I could not be more disappointed and feeling for our guys, at the same time of just trying to process what happened. I don't have the words. I don't have the words."
The Blue Devils had previously led by six points with 1:14 remaining before falling to Houston in last year's national semi-finals, adding to the sting of this latest defeat.
UConn's Unlikely Triumph
UConn struggled mightily from beyond the arc, missing 18 of their first 19 three-point attempts and finishing just 5 for 23. However, Mullins' fifth and final three-pointer will be remembered for generations in Connecticut.
UConn coach Dan Hurley reflected on the chaotic finish, saying, "It just felt like the window where you've just got to let March Madness take over. March magic."
Michigan Advances to Face Arizona
In Sunday's other Elite Eight matchup, Michigan dominated Tennessee with a resounding 95-62 victory to secure their place in the Final Four. Yaxel Lendeborg led the charge with 27 points, while Elliot Cadeau contributed 10 assists. Morez Johnson Jr. added 12 points for top-seeded Michigan, who notched their 11th win this season by at least 30 points.
Leveraging their size and athleticism, Michigan (35-3) advanced to their first Final Four since 2018 and ninth overall. They will now face Arizona in Saturday's national semi-finals.
"We always wanted to play against them, that team," Lendeborg said. "They're a really, really good team, so it's going to be a super fun matchup."
Under second-year coach Dusty May, who previously guided Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023, the Wolverines became the first school to win at least four games in an NCAA tournament by double digits while scoring 90 or more points in each.
Tennessee's Continued Elite Eight Struggles
Ja'Kobi Gillespie scored 21 points on 8-of-22 shooting for Tennessee (25-12), who suffered their third consecutive Elite Eight loss under coach Rick Barnes. The 71-year-old coach, who reached his only Final Four in 2003 with Texas, acknowledged the challenge of breaking through to the next level.
"We certainly know what it takes to get here," Barnes said. "Now we've got to figure out getting through to the next level, and it's on this day, you've got to really be at your best."
