Tigers Drop Heartbreaker 78-77 to Wolfpack

CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson University men’s basketball dropped a heartbreaker to NC State 78-77 on Saturday night.

The Tigers (17-8, 7-7 ACC) were led by Joseph Girard III (Glens Falls, N.Y./Glens Falls) who finished with 23 points, three rebounds and three assists. Girard was connected on seven field goals – four of which were triples.

PJ Hall (Spartanburg, S.C./Dorman) posted 18 points and seven rebounds in the effort, while Chase Hunter (Atlanta, Ga./Westlake) added 10.

Clemson led by as many as 12 in the second half, but NC State stormed back to tie the game at 71-71. A DJ Horne floater with nine seconds to go sealed the Wolfpack victory.

Hunter had a play at the end of the game, getting all the way to the rim, but couldn’t convert in the final seconds.

The Tigers outrebounded (33-31) the Wolfpack and scored more paint points, but it wasn’t enough in the one-point defeat.

Clemson returns to the floor on Wednesday, Feb. 21 when it travels to Georgia Tech. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ACCN.