Clemson Drops Physical Contest 87-82 to Memphis in Overtime

CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson University men’s basketball took a game-high six-point advantage with 2:22 left in regulation but were forced into overtime by Memphis and lost 87-82 on Saturday in Littlejohn Coliseum.

The Tigers (9-2, 1-0 ACC) were led by Viktor Lakhin (Anapa, Russia/CSKA-2/Cincinnati) who totaled his first 20-point game of the season and second double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds. 

Chase Hunter (Atlanta, Ga./Westlake) and Ian Schieffelin (Atlanta, Ga./Grayson) both totaled 17 points each, while Jaeden Zackery (Salem, Wis./Westosha Central/Boston College) (11) and Dillon Hunter (Atlanta, Ga./Westlake) (10) rounded out the double-digit scorers.

Clemson got out to a very sluggish start, mustering just five points through the first eight minutes of the opening stanza. The Tigers got going late in the first half and trailed 33-32 at the break.

Memphis began the second half on a 7-0 run, prompting a Clemson timeout. The Tigers trailed by as many as nine points but rallied for a 46-45 lead on a Schieffelin 3-pointer at the 11:35 mark. 

Both teams would see the lead start to see-saw in their favor with Clemson again rallying down seven to take a six-point lead with 2:22 left. The Tigers led by five with just over a minute remaining, but Memphis finished on a 5-0 run to tie the game and force overtime. Chase Hunter had a chance at the end of regulation but missed on a 3-point attempt.

Memphis outscored Clemson 15-10 in the extra period to claim the victory.

The Tigers return to the floor on Tuesday, Dec. 17 when they travel to South Carolina for its annual Palmetto Series game, presented by the South Carolina Education Lottery. Tip time is slated for 7 p.m. on SECN.