UConn suffered a heartbreaking 99-97 loss to Memphis in the opening round of the Maui Invitational, ending their 17-game winning streak. The game was marred by controversial calls and technical fouls that left UConn coach Dan Hurley visibly frustrated.
The pivotal moment came in overtime when an over-the-back call was made on UConn's Liam McNeeley, leading to Hurley's outburst and subsequent technical foul. Memphis capitalized on the free throws to secure the victory.
Hurley criticized the officiating, particularly questioning the timing and nature of the calls. He expressed disbelief at the decisions made by the referees and voiced his displeasure with the overall handling of the game.
In addition to the technical fouls against UConn, a trainer was also penalized early in the game for an alleged remark, further adding to the team's frustrations. Another technical foul on Samson Johnson proved costly as it resulted in his ejection from the game.
Despite the adversity, Memphis coach Penny Hardaway hailed the win as a significant achievement, considering UConn's impressive track record as two-time defending national champions.
UConn players acknowledged the physicality of the game and admitted they fell short in matching Memphis' toughness. The Huskies staged a late comeback in regulation but ultimately couldn't overcome the Tigers' advantage at the free-throw line.
The defeat marked UConn's first loss since February and served as a wake-up call for the team to regroup and refocus moving forward.
For more college basketball updates and news, stay tuned to the AP Top 25 rankings throughout the season.
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