Liam McNeeley Stats Tonight: How did UConn freshman fare vs Memphis? (Nov 25)
Liam McNeeley delivered a well-rounded performance, but it wasn’t enough as unranked Memphis edged out No. 2 UConn 99-97 in overtime during the Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center in Hawaii on Monday.
The game had a dramatic 18-5 UConn rally in the final three minutes of regulation. McNeeley ended the night with 10 points on 3-of-9 shooting, including 2-of-4 from beyond the arc and 2-of-4 from the free-throw line. He also contributed four rebounds, four assists and a steal.
Despite starting strong with the game’s first basket, the first-year forward struggled early, missing three field goals, two free throws and committing two fouls.
Memphis built a commanding 13-point lead with just four minutes left in regulation, but UConn staged an extraordinary comeback. Back-to-back three-pointers from McNeeley cut the deficit to four, prompting a Memphis timeout with 1:38 remaining.
Memphis added three free throws, but UConn responded with a layup by Alex Karaban, free throws by Hassan Diarra, and a clutch three-pointer from Solo Ball to force overtime.
UConn initially seized the momentum in the extra period, but Memphis ultimately prevailed. A pivotal moment came with 40 seconds left when a controversial over-the-back foul on McNeeley led to a technical foul on UConn coach Dan Hurley. This sequence allowed Memphis’ PJ Carter to sink four free throws, turning a 92-92 tie into a decisive 96-92 advantage for the Tigers.
McNeeley and the Huskies, who entered the tournament as favorites, will face the loser of the Colorado-Michigan State matchup on Wednesday in the consolation bracket.
Memphis Ends UConn’s 17-Game Winning Streak
Dan Hurley’s UConn Huskies lost for the first time since February, snapping their 17-game winning streak. The loss came after UConn dominated its first four games of the season, crushing lower-tier opponents by an average of 37.8 points—the best margin in the nation—though against the easiest schedule, ranked 363rd out of 364 by KenPom.com.
The game against Memphis was a different challenge. The Tigers, bolstered by offseason transfer additions with sharpshooting prowess, controlled the game from the start. Entering the matchup ranked second nationally in field goal percentage, Memphis shot an impressive 54.7% and capitalized at the line, converting 29 of 40 free throws.
After losing four starters and several NBA-caliber players from its 2023-24 national championship team, UConn maintained its high ranking based on reputation rather than early-season results. While the Huskies retained their prestige, their untested roster showed vulnerabilities against Memphis' seasoned squad.
This loss also ended UConn’s 17-game neutral-floor winning streak, which dated back to the 2023 Big East Tournament when the Huskies last fell to Marquette.