Memphis Tigers outlast two-time National Champion UConn to kick off Maui Invitational: Day One coverage

Memphis' PJ Haggerty is fouled in overtime as he drives between UConn's Samson Johnson (35) and Liam McNeely.

By Matthew Thayer

Led by head coach Penny Hardaway, a former tournament co-MVP, the Memphis Tigers pulled off an opening round, 99-97, upset in overtime of two-time defending National Champion UConn to highlight the opening day of the Maui Invitational mens college basketball tournament at Lahaina Civic Center.

Hardaway was co-MVP in 1992, sharing the trophy with Duke’s Bobby Hurley, brother of current UConn head coach Dan Hurley. Memphis was led by guard Tyrese Hunter’s 26 points, while Tarris Reed Jr. paced UConn with 22. UConn was ranked No. 2 in the country, while unranked Memphis was not in the Top 25. Hardaway later called the victory the biggest win of his college coaching career.

Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway looks like he's throwing a shaka while calling out a play against UConn. Hardaway was named co-Tournament MVP with Duke’s Bobby Hurley when he played in the tourney in 1992 for the Tigers.

This year’s Maui Invitational marks a return to Lahaina Civic Center after the tourney was moved to Oahu last year in the wake of Lahaina’s devastating wildfires that destroyed much of the town, claimed 102 lives and displaced 10,000 people.

In other games: No. 25 Michigan State thumped unranked Colorado, 72-56; No. 4 Auburn roared back to beat No. 5 Iowa State on tip-in rebound with seconds to go; No. 12 North Carolina rallied in the second half to beat Dayton in a nail-biter, 92-90. It was the second-largest comeback in the storied program’s history. Memphis and Michigan State are set to play in one semifinal Tuesday, while North Carolina will meet Auburn in the other. The two winners of those games will clash in the championship final scheduled to be played Wednesday, starting at noon HST at Lahaina Civic Center.

Memphis' Colby Rogers shoots a three-pointer to tie UConn in overtime and set his team up for the upset, 99-97, opening-round win.

UConn head coach Dan Hurley argues a call Monday.

UConn's Solo Ball drives for a first-half basket against Memphis.

UConn's Jayden Ross (23) and Solo Ball celebrate after Ball's three-point shot to force overtime against Memphis.

UConn's Alex Karaban shoots over Moussa Cisse of Memphis.

Memphis forward Nicholas Jourdain dunks against UConn in the first half.

 Memphis players celebrate their 99-97, overtime win over two-time defending national champion UConn Huskies Monday in the opening game of the Maui Invitational mens college basketball tournament at Lahaina Civic Center.

North Carolina's RJ Davis gathers himself before shooting the game-winning free throws with 4.3 seconds left against Dayton Monday. Davis scored 30 points to lead his team in scoring.

North Carolina fans celebrate as their team roars back to take the lead late in the second half against Dayton.

Dayton's Malachi Smith is fouled by North Carolina's Ian Jackson in the first half.

North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis shouts to his team in the first half of Monday's game against Dayton.

North Carolina's Seth Trimble lays in a first-half basket.

North Carolina's Elliot Cadeau slips while driving against Dayton's Javon Bennett.

Dayton's Isaac Jack and North Carolina's Jalen Washington battle for position.

Michigan State fan Todd Szkotnicki wears a turkey hat as he roots for the Spartans in their game against Colorado.

Legendary Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo talks to a referee during Monday's opening round, 72-56 win over Colorado.

Michigan State's Carson Cooper (15) battels for rebound position with Colorado's Assane Diop.

Michigan State's Szymon Zapala grabs a first-half rebound over Colorado's Elijah Moore.

Colorado's Julian Hammond III drives against Michigan State's Tre Holloman.

Dancers from the Sheraton Maui Nui Luau of Tihati Productions perform during halftime of Monday's game between Michigan State and Colorado.

Auburn's Johni Broome follows through on a first-half shot over Iowa State's Dishon Jackson. Broome led Auburn in scoring with 22 points.

Iowa State's Nojus Indrusaitis goes to the floor after being fouled in the first half of the Cyclones' opening-round game against Auburn.

Iowa State's Dishon Jackson is pumped up after dunking against Auburn's Dylan Cardwell and JP Pegues in the first half.

Iowa State's Curtis Jones is defended by Auburn's Miles Kelly.