In a matchup that few expected to be close, Colorado men’s basketball upset the No. 2 UConn Huskies on Tuesday in the Maui Invitational.
Forward Andrej Jakimovski delivered the game-winning bucket with about 10 seconds remaining in regulation, sinking an acrobatic layup to give the Buffs their ultimate 73-72 lead. From there, Colorado’s defense held stout against the back-to-back defending national champions.
Before Tuesday, the Buffs had never beaten an AP top-four team away from Boulder in program history, according to Jake Shapiro of Denver Sports.
Colorado, which improved to 5-1 on the young season, trailed UConn 40-32 entering halftime before opening the second period on a 14-6 run. Point guard Julian Hammond III and center Elijah Malone each scored 16 points while Jakimovski recorded a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Up next, head coach Tad Boyle and the Buffs will meet the winner of Tuesday’s Dayton-Iowa State battle on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. MT.
Check out the best photos from Colorado’s massive Maui win: