Malik Reneau tried to console him. Walking near midcourt at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Reneau offered a hug, a pat on the chest and words of encouragement.
But Mackenzie Mgbako couldn’t shake the sting of what had happened moments prior. After grabbing an offensive rebound with 10 seconds remaining, Mgbako watched his game-tying layup attempt trickle around the rim and miss. From the bench, Gabe Cupps stood with his hands on his head in disbelief.
Roughly three seconds later, the ball was again in Mgbako’s hands, again with a chance to tie or take the lead. He spotted up from beyond the arc — not a defender in sight to contest — and launched what could’ve been the game-winning triple.