Clemson’s Comeback Halted in Final Seconds in ACC Semis

CHARLOTTE, N.C. –​​Chase Hunter (Atlanta, Ga./Westlake) led a frantic comeback for No. 10/10 Clemson University Men’s Basketball, who cut a 15-point deficit with 3:13 to play down to just two in a 2:23 span, but second-seeded Louisville held on for a 76-73 win in the T. Rowe Price ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Semifinal at the Spectrum Center.

The Tigers (27-6) will look ahead to the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Selection Show at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Hunter scored 19 of his 23 points in the second half, including nine in a 1:48 span in the final 3:28 to help give the Tigers a chance to advance, but had his contested layup attempt with six seconds left blocked, and a desperation heave fall wide at the buzzer.

Ian Schieffelin (Atlanta, Ga./Grayson) had 14 points and 12 rebounds, Viktor Lakhin (Anapa, Russia/CSKA-2/Cincinnati) added 14 points and seven rebounds, and Jaeden Zackery (Salem, Wis./Westosha Central/Boston College) added 11 points and five steals in the game. 

Facing a 69-54 deficit with 3:28 to play, Clemson’s offense came to life as Chauncey Wiggins (Grayson, Ga./Grayson) hit a jumper. Clemson would cut the lead to 70-61 with 2:11 to play behind Zackery and Hunter. Clemson still trailed, 75-66 with 1:18 to play when Hunter drilled a three-pointer, and moments later Zackery was fouled after a steal, and hit both free throws. Hunter hit a layup to cut the deficit to 75-73 with 54 seconds left. 

After a Louisville shot clock violation, Clemson got the ball back and called timeout. Hunter drove and attempted to finish through contact, but his shot was blocked. Louisville corralled the rebound and hit one-of-two from the line, and Hunter’s heave missed, ending the game. 

In the first half, The Tigers jumped out to an early 17-10 lead eight minutes into the contest, going largely inside, scoring 24 of its 28 first-half points in the paint. Louisville scored eight in a row to take the lead back and the margin stayed within three points for the next eight minutes, including four lead changes. Louisville was able to hit a jumper inside a minute to give the Cardinals their largest lead of the half, 33-28. 

Lakhin, in foul trouble for most of the quarterfinal against SMU, scored 11 points in the half, while Schieffelin had eight points and eight boards. 

Louisville jumped out to a seven-point lead in the second half, and after a Hunter three-pointer cut it to 38-34, Clemson went 6:36 without a field goal. During that stretch, the Cardinals scored nine straight to take a 47-34 lead with 12:08 to play. Louisville led by 15 points, 69-54, with 3:28 to play in setting up Clemson’s incredible comeback. 

GAME NOTES: Chase Hunter has now played 4,541 minutes, extending his program record and moving him into 15th in ACC history, passing Matt Harpring (Georgia Tech, 1995-98, 4,506) and Travis Best (Georgia Tech 1992-95, 4,504) … Chase Hunter hit the 200th three-pointer of his career becoming the seventh Clemson player to reach the mark and first since Andre Young in 2012… Hunter moved into fifth in Clemson history in career scoring (1,743), passing Trevor Booker (1,725) Jaron Blossomgame (1,733) during the game… Per STATS Perform, Chase Hunter has now played in 166 games coached by Brad Brownell, tied for the ninth-most games by a player-coach duo in NCAA history and third among active duos … Ian Schieffelin had 14 points and 12 rebounds, his 16th game in double-figure rebounds this season and his 12th double-double of the season… Jaeden Zackery had five steals, giving him 69 for the season, tying him with James Mays (2006-07) for fourth-most in a single season in school history.