Clemson Advances to ACC Semifinals with Dramatic 57-54 Win Over SMU

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Chase Hunter scored 21 points, leading No. 10 Clemson to a thrilling 57-54 victory over SMU in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament quarterfinals on Thursday night at Spectrum Center. This win marks Clemson’s ninth consecutive victory, propelling them into the semifinals of the ACC tournament.

Jaeden Zackery added 11 points, while Ian Schieffelin contributed nine points and a crucial 12 rebounds for the Tigers (27-5), who are in pursuit of their first ACC Tournament title. Matt Cross topped the scoring for the Mustangs (23-10) with 13 points, followed by Boopie Miller with 10.

SMU controlled much of the second half until Viktor Lakhin‘s jumper gave Clemson a 52-51 advantage with 4:50 remaining. With the game on the line, Hunter missed a critical 3-point attempt with 17 seconds left, allowing SMU to try for a last-second lead. After a timeout by the Mustangs, Chuck Harris‘s corner shot missed, and despite a scramble for the rebound, officials ruled that SMU touched the ball last after a review.

In a tight finish, Hunter was fouled on the inbounds play and successfully converted a free throw with 2.1 seconds remaining. SMU’s hopes faded when Cross’s desperation 3-point attempt fell short at the buzzer.

Clemson coach Brad Brownell expressed pride in his team’s resilience: “We’ve been in a lot of tight games this year. I’m really proud of how our guys battled back down the stretch.”

Despite Lakhin facing foul trouble and missing significant time, the Tigers managed to hold off SMU’s efforts to take control. Lakhin’s absence was keenly felt in the paint, where the Mustangs outscored Clemson 40-24. Nevertheless, Clemson’s defense shone late in the fourth quarter, forcing several turnovers that stifled SMU’s scoring opportunities.

The Tigers are set to face No. 13 Louisville in the semifinals, which secured a narrow 75-73 victory over Stanford earlier in the day. “We need to have our offense step up for the next game,” Hunter noted, reflecting on the duel against the Mustangs. “It’s going to be tough, but we’re ready to keep fighting.”

With this victory, Clemson has strengthened its position in the NCAA Tournament landscape, solidifying its fifth Quadrant 1 win of the season. The game represents a significant moment for the program, seeking to further establish itself in postseason play.

Following the game, there was concern for Dillon Hunter, a starting guard, who exited late in the first half after sustaining a possible finger injury. Brownell indicated that further examination would take place to assess the severity of the injury. “We’ll see what the X-rays say,” he said. “But we’re hopeful.”

As the Tigers reflect on their hard-fought victory, they now shift their focus to the semifinals, determined to capitalize on their momentum and advance further in the tournament.