UConn vs Duke Thriller Ends In Mullins Buzzer-Beater Final Four

In a dramatic finish on Sunday, March 29, 2026, the UConn Huskies pulled off a stunning 73-72 victory over the Duke Blue Devils in the East Regional Final to secure a spot in the Final Four. 

UConn delivered an incredible comeback after trailing 44-25 late in the first half, fighting back from a 19-point deficit. The game remained intense until the final seconds, with both teams battling for control. 

The Decisive Moment: Mullins’ Clutch Shot

The decisive moment came when Duke lost possession in the closing seconds, giving UConn one last chance. Freshman Braylon Mullins stepped up and hit a deep 35-foot three-pointer with just 0.4 seconds left on the clock. The shot marked UConn’s first lead since the opening minute.   

The thrilling win sends UConn to the Final Four, completing one of the most memorable turnarounds of the tournament. 

Dramatic Final Seconds as Duke’s Mistake Turns the Tide

The final moments of the East Regional Final delivered high drama as the  Duke Blue Devils looked set to close out a narrow 72-70 lead with just 10 seconds remaining. Duke aimed to run down the clock, but a costly mistake changed everything. 

A pass from Cayden Boozer near midcourt was deflected by Silas Demary Jr. of the UConn Huskies, creating a loose-ball situation. Freshman Braylon Mullins quickly recovered possession and pushed the play forward. 

Mullins passed to Alex Karaban, who immediately returned the ball. Without hesitation,  Mullins launched a deep three-pointer from well beyond the arc. The shot went clean through the net with just 0.4 seconds left. 

The last-second basket secured a stunning 73-72 win for UConn, marking one of the most dramatic finishes in the tournament’s history.

UConn’s Remarkable Comeback and Historic Victory

The UConn Huskies secured a historic win that will be remembered as one of the greatest comebacks in tournament history.  The victory stands as the sixth-largest comeback in the NCAA Tournament and the biggest ever by a No.1 seed trailing by 15 points at halftime. 

UConn’s remarkable turnaround not only highlights their resilience but also brings a painful end to the season for the Duke Blue Devils. This marks the second straight year Duke has suffered a heartbreaking exit, following their late-game collapse against the Houston Cougars in the 2025 Final Four. 

With this win, UConn moves on to the national semifinals in Indianapolis, where they will face the Illinois Fighting Illini. The Huskies are now aiming to secure their third national championship in just four seasons, continuing their strong run in recent years. 

Emotional Reactions from Players and Coaches

Emotions ran high after the dramatic finish as players and coaches reacted to the shocking result. Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer appeared visibly stunned and struggled to explain the loss, saying he was deeply disappointed and at a loss for words. 

Star player Cameron Boozer, who scored 27 points, expressed the team’s pain after what could be his final college game. He admitted that the defeat was hard to accept and that the entire team was hurting. 

On the other side, UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley praised his players for their strong mindset and refusal to give up. He described the win as March magic and highlighted the team’s ability to perform under pressure. The reaction captured both the heartbreak of defeat and the joy of stunning victory 

Braylon Mullins Delivers Defining Moment with Clutch Performance

Freshman Braylon Mullins delivered the defining moment of the game, hitting a stunning last-second shot to seal the win for the UConn Huskies. The young guard, who hails from just outside Indianapolis, quickly became the center of attention after his clutch performance. 

Speaking after the game, Mullins said he felt confident in taking the final shot. He explained that he knew he had to put one up at that moment and was relieved to see it go in.his calm reaction reflected the importance of the play under intense pressure. 

What made the shot even more remarkable was UConn’s overall struggle from beyond the arc. The team finished just 5-of-23 from three-point range, making Mullins’ successful attempt even more unlikely. 

The dramatic basket not only secured the win but also marked a breakthrough moment for Mullins on one of the biggest stages in college basketball.