In one of the most dramatic finishes of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, UConn pulled off a shocking 73–72 victory over top-seeded Duke Blue Devils thanks to a miracle three-pointer with just 0.4 seconds remaining.
Guard Braylon Mullins delivered the moment of the tournament, draining a deep contested shot from well beyond the arc to complete an incredible comeback and send the Huskies to the Final Four. The shot capped off a chaotic final sequence that left Duke and its fans stunned.
UConn’s win was even more remarkable considering how the game began. The Huskies fell behind early, trailing by as many as 19 points in the first half. Duke controlled the tempo and looked dominant, appearing on track for another Final Four appearance. But UConn slowly chipped away at the lead, showing resilience and defensive intensity in the second half.
Despite struggling all night from three-point range and missing 18 of their first 19 attempts, the Huskies never lost confidence. Their persistence paid off in the final seconds. After Silas Demary Jr. made one of two free throws to cut the deficit to two, Duke attempted to run out the clock. However, a crucial turnover near midcourt gave UConn one final opportunity.
Demary recovered the loose ball and quickly got it to Mullins, who launched the desperate shot that will go down as one of the greatest in tournament history. As the ball went in, UConn players erupted in celebration while Duke players stood in disbelief.
For Duke, the loss marks another heartbreaking end to a promising season. After entering the tournament as the No. 1 overall seed, expectations were high. This defeat also echoes last year’s collapse, when the Blue Devils lost late to Houston Cougars in the national semifinals despite holding a late lead.
Meanwhile, UConn’s victory adds another memorable chapter to the program’s tournament history. Known for stepping up in March, the Huskies once again proved their ability to deliver under pressure. Mullins’ game-winner will be remembered in Connecticut for years.
With the win, UConn advances to the Final Four with momentum and confidence heading into the next round.
