Tyrese Hunter tossed in a game-high 26 points to lead Memphis to a 99-97 upset victory over No. 2 UConn on Monday in the first round of the Maui Invitational in Lahaina, Hawaii.
The Tigers (5-0) connected on 12 of 24 three-point attempts, with several clutch shots down the stretch, as they handed UConn its first loss of the season. Memphis took an 11-point lead early in the second half, and then held off a late rally by the Huskies, highlighting the incredible depth of the team.
Hunter, who led the team in scoring, was instrumental in the win. He shot 7-11 from three and added three assists and two rebounds to his impressive stat line. The team also got a significant boost from its bench, which provided 31 points, including several crucial baskets as the Tigers fended off numerous comeback attempts by the No. 2-ranked Huskies.
UConn's Jordan Hawkins, a junior guard, tied a season-high with 24 points, including 7-11 from beyond the arc. Adama Sanogo, the reigning Big East Player of the Year, chipped in 19 points and 11 rebounds but struggled with fouls early in the game, eventually fouling out with 1:05 remaining, as the Huskies (3-1) saw their undefeated season come to an end.
The win marked the fourth time Memphis has beaten a top-5 team in the last two years. Memphis will move on to face either No. 11 Oklahoma State or No. 21 Oregon in the tournament semifinals on Tuesday.
The Tigers were 5-0 for the first time since the 1985-86 season and had four players scoring in double figures -- Hunter (26), DeAndre Williams (19), Kendric Davis (18), and Malcolm Dandridge (12). Seven players shot at least one three-pointer as Memphis established a season-high in points.