Tigers Fade Late in Raleigh

Clemson players huddle up during their basketball game against NC State at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, NC. (Photo Credit: Clemson Athletics)

Clemson came into Reynolds Coliseum looking to start ACC play 2-0, after a win over Wake Forest a couple of weeks ago in Winston-Salem. The Tigers showed greatness in areas, especially from three, but wasn't quite enough. Let's get into it. The first quarter was a fast-paced run-and-gun type of game for both teams. Clemson’s Mia Moore was hot in the first, leading the team with 10 points going into the second quarter. Clemson shot very well from behind the arc at 55.6 percent in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the game slowed down a bit as teams began to look more human with fouls and a few turnovers. Clemson and NC State stayed close throughout the half, as the Tigers were able to keep the Wolfpack pretty much under control to begin with. Clemson did keep NC State’s Aziah James to 5 points in 18 minutes of play in the first half, and Saniyah Rivers to two points in the first half also. James came into the game averaging 17.7 PPG the last three games. On offense Clemson used the three heavily and went into the half shooting 52.9 percent, hitting nine shots from behind the arc, including a Hannah Kohn buzzer-beating three to go to half leading 37-36.

The second half started fast as the game did. Clemson did a great job of driving and scoring in the paint to start. Mia Moore came out and got back in the scoring groove by using her quickness off the dribble and scoring at the rim. On the flip side, Aziah James woke up in the third quarter, scoring 8 points before she exited the game due to an apparent lower extremity injury with 3:28 left in the third. James did return in the fourth quarter to finish the game and ended with 15 points. NC State switched their defensive strategy up a bit by going to a zone and slowing Clemson’s scoring ability down. State ended the third quarter on a 6-0 run in the last 1:36 to lead 61-59 going into the fourth quarter. NC State started to get going in the fourth. Wolfpack got to the free-throw line more throughout the quarter and was able to play frustrating defense, which caused Clemson to have a cold spell at the worst time. Clemson started to cool off midway through the fourth quarter, and NC State started to impose and get what they wanted, with huge efforts by Zoe Brooks, who finished with 18 points, and Madison Hayes, who led the Wolfpack with 19 on the night, shooting 8 of 10 from the free-throw line. NC State pulled ahead by 10 with 4:01 left to go, and Clemson faded away with a long drought and didn’t score until a Hannah Kohn three with 1:25 left to go. Clemson would go on to drop this one 83-79.

Final Thoughts:

Clemson shot 48.4 percent from three-point range, going 15 of 31, and showed their ability to also get to the paint and score most of the night. The offense was there tonight with the exception of Clemson’s cold spell late in the game. That is what ultimately caused the Tigers to fall behind to an insurmountable lead by NC State. The Wolfpack woke up and the Tigers went cold. The Tigers did finish with three players in double figures: Mia Moore with a game-high of 23 points, Hannah Kohn with 18, all points coming from three-point range, and Loyal McQueen with 10. McQueen had a quiet night, shooting only 25 percent, 3 of 12 from the field, in 39 minutes. Clemson showed signs of a team that can and will compete. It is just two games in with ACC play, and with a few more improvements, this team can win some games. Clemson will return to action January 2, 2025, hosting the Cal Golden Bears at home in Littlejohn. Tip time is set for 7:00 PM EST.

Highlights via ACC Digital Network