UConn rallies, stuns Duke on last-second 3 to reach Final FourJeff BorzelloMar 29, 2026, 07:28 PM ETClose
- Basketball recruiting insider.
- Joined ESPN in 2014.
- Graduate of University of Delaware.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Thirty-six years after Christian Laettner hit a buzzer-beater to beat UConn in the Elite Eight and send Duke to the men’s Final Four, the Huskies got their revenge.
UConn freshman Braylon Mullins — who grew up just outside of Indianapolis and will return home looking for more magic — stole the ball and buried a 3-pointer from 35 feet to cap a remarkable 19-point comeback and give the Huskies a 73-72 win.
They advance to the Final Four for the third time in four years.
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UConn trailed by as many as 19 points in the first half, and Duke still led by double digits with just over six minutes left. But Tarris Reed Jr.’s 26 points kept the Huskies close and a flurry of 3-pointers in the final four minutes pushed UConn over the top.
It’s the second straight season to end in a huge collapse for Duke, which was the top overall seed in this year’s tournament. The Blue Devils led by six with 1:14 remaining before falling to Houston in last year’s national semifinals.
In what was likely his final college game, Naismith Player of the Year front-runner Cameron Boozer had 27 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
With the Huskies’ win, the Final Four is set. Illinois will face UConn and Michigan will take on Arizona next Saturday, with the winners squaring off two nights later for the national title.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
