LAHAINA, Hawaii — In a thrilling encounter that will be remembered for years to come, unranked Memphis took down No. 2 UConn 99-97 in overtime during the Maui Invitational on Monday, marking a significant upset in college basketball.

The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, especially for UConn, who staged an incredible 18-5 run in the final three minutes of regulation to force overtime, despite Memphis going the last four minutes without a field goal. However, Memphis ultimately prevailed in the extra period, thanks in part to a crucial technical foul on UConn's head coach, Dan Hurley, after a contentious over-the-back foul called on player Liam McNeeley. This decision allowed Memphis to score four points from free throws, changing the dynamics of the match with just 40 seconds left and giving them a 96-92 lead.

After the game, Hurley was visibly upset and defended his team's performance, attributing the loss to what he perceived as poor officiating, rather than the technical foul itself. “It was the sh—ty calls,” Hurley exclaimed to CBS Sports, expressing disbelief that such calls could be made against a back-to-back national championship team.

Hurley also criticized the referee's decision to issue a technical foul against UConn's team trainer, claiming it was absurd for such a penalty to be called on a quiet individual who was simply caught in an unfortunate moment. “That call at that point of the game was a complete joke,” he insisted.

The Lahaina Civic Center has long been a venerable venue for the Maui Invitational, yet due to pandemic constraints and the devastating wildfires that ravaged Lahaina in 2023, it has hosted the tournament only twice since 2019. The highly anticipated return brought a nail-biting showdown that will go down in history.

In an overtime brimming with intensity, a near-altercation occurred between Memphis' Dain Dainja and UConn's Samson Johnson, resulting in a double technical foul that ultimately sidelined Johnson from the game. This foul challenged UConn's depth since they had already lost Tarris Reed Jr. to fouling out earlier in regulation, despite Reed having an exceptional game with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

The match saw Memphis maintaining control for much of the game, largely due to their exceptional three-point shooting capability. Memphis’ Tyrese Hunter shone through with an impressive 26 points, including a remarkable 7-for-10 shooting from beyond the arc, and celebrated each score with incredible enthusiasm, asserting, “I’m him! I’ve always been him!”

Memphis coach Penny Hardaway hailed the victory as the pinnacle of his coaching career, especially given the circumstances and the reputation of his opponents. “With the magnitude of what's going on here at the Invitational ... this was definitely back-to-back national champions undefeated. I used that as motivation for my team,” he stated.

UConn's aspirations of a perfect season were dashed as they faced defeat for the first time since February. After a strong outing, junior forward Alex Karaban took full responsibility for the team's performance, pledging to elevate their response and efforts moving forward.

This game marked a significant milestone for Memphis, achieving a 5-0 record for the second consecutive season, a feat reminiscent of their heyday as Memphis State in 1985. Now, as they move on to face Michigan State in the semifinals, the Tigers are riding a wave of momentum and confidence. UConn, meanwhile, will look to regroup as they take on Colorado in the consolation bracket.

The Maui Invitational continues to showcase thrilling matches and unpredictable outcomes, affirming its status as one of the most exciting events in college basketball.