UConn's Braylon Mullins hits game-winner to upset No. 1 Duke

Mullins' clutch shot at the buzzer sends the Huskies to the Final Four

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:20pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, expressionist painting in neon colors depicting the dramatic moment of a basketball player taking a shot, with the ball and player's movement blurred and dissolved into the vibrant brushstrokes, capturing the raw energy and excitement of the game-winning play.Braylon Mullins' last-second heroics send UConn to the Final Four with a stunning upset of No. 1 seed Duke.Indianapolis Today

In a stunning upset, UConn guard Braylon Mullins hit a near-logo 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left to give the Huskies a 74-73 victory over No. 1 overall seed Duke in the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight. Mullins' game-winning shot capped a dramatic comeback after Duke had led by as many as 19 points earlier in the game. The loss was just the second time in 135 tries that a No. 1 seed had blown a 15-point halftime lead and gone on to lose.

Why it matters

Mullins' heroics have instantly cemented his place in March Madness lore, and the shot will likely boost his NBA draft stock as he looks to turn pro. For UConn, the win sends the Huskies to the Final Four, where they will face Illinois with a chance to play for the national championship.

The details

With Duke leading 73-71 and just seconds remaining, Mullins took the inbounds pass and calmly drained a deep 3-pointer from just inside the half-court line to give UConn the stunning victory. The loss was a devastating one for Duke, which had dominated the game for the first 35 minutes before the Huskies mounted their furious comeback.

  • Mullins hit the game-winning shot with 0.4 seconds left in the game.
  • Duke led by as many as 19 points earlier in the contest.

The players

Braylon Mullins

A junior guard for the UConn Huskies who hit the game-winning shot to upset No. 1 seed Duke in the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight.

Duke Blue Devils

The No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, who suffered a shocking upset loss to UConn after leading by as many as 19 points in the game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Braylon Mullins is a pure shooter with deep range. He's also a better defender than he gets credit for. But he's been streaky this year at UConn, slumping down the stretch, and also needs time to build up his body. If he elects to stay in the draft, he'll need some time, but he could be a nice long-term complement to a young core.”

— Adam Finkelstein, CBS Sports NBA Draft Analyst

What’s next

UConn will face Illinois in the Final Four this weekend, with the winner advancing to the national championship game on April 6.

The takeaway

Braylon Mullins' game-winning shot to upset No. 1 seed Duke will go down as one of the most iconic moments in NCAA Tournament history, and it could significantly boost his NBA draft stock as he looks to turn pro. For UConn, the win sends the Huskies to the Final Four, where they will have a chance to compete for their first national championship since 2014.