Braylon Mullins' last-second 3 gives UConn win over Duke and Final Four spot

Key Points:

• UConn secured a dramatic 73-72 victory over top-seeded Duke in the NCAA Tournament regional final, with Braylon Mullins hitting a 35-foot game-winning 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left after a 19-point first-half deficit.
• The Huskies overcame the largest halftime lead ever blown by a No. 1 seed in tournament history, rallying from a 44-29 halftime deficit to reach the Final Four for the third time in four seasons under coach Dan Hurley.
• Duke, led by Cameron Boozer's 27 points, had a late lead but failed to close out the game, with a crucial deflection by UConn’s Silas Demary Jr. leading to Mullins’ final shot; this marks the third consecutive NCAA Tournament loss to UConn for Duke.
• UConn now faces third-seeded Illinois in the Final Four, having previously beaten them decisively in the 2024 Elite Eight, while Duke is expected to lose Cameron Boozer to the NBA following the season.
• The win adds to UConn’s impressive NCAA Tournament record, extending their streak to 18 consecutive wins in the Sweet 16 or later rounds, with their last loss at that stage occurring in 2009.