Clemson Falls to Virginia Tech, 76-66: Perimeter Defense, Missed Free Throws Prove Costly
CLEMSON, S.C. - Clemson men’s basketball dropped a tough one at home Wednesday night, falling 76-66 to Virginia Tech at Littlejohn Coliseum. Despite a strong push in the second half and a gutsy performance from Carter Welling, the Tigers couldn’t overcome the Hokies’ hot shooting from deep and near-perfect free throw execution.
Now sitting at 20-5 overall and 10-2 in ACC play, Clemson’s momentum took a hit - but the night wasn’t without its bright spots.
Welling’s Warrior Mentality
Carter Welling came to play. The senior from Draper, Utah, poured in a season-high 19 points and showed serious toughness by returning to the floor after briefly exiting with an ankle injury.
It was his 16th double-digit scoring effort of the season, and he added a season-best three blocks to his stat line. Welling’s presence on both ends kept Clemson in the fight when things started to slip.
Bench Mob Delivers Again
Clemson’s bench was a major factor, accounting for 35 of the team’s 66 points. Nick Davidson and Ace Buckner were the catalysts, combining for 32 points off the pine. Buckner, in particular, gave the Tigers life midway through the second half - his three-pointer with just over eight minutes to go cut the deficit to five and sent the Littlejohn crowd into a frenzy.
Davidson and Buckner each finished with 16 points. For Buckner, it was his 10th game this season scoring in double figures. Davidson continued his strong stretch of play, hitting double digits for the 12th time this year - and the fourth in his last five games.
The Numbers That Told the Story
Clemson battled, but the difference came down to two key areas: three-point defense and free throw shooting.
Virginia Tech knocked down 11 shots from beyond the arc, while Clemson managed just five. That 18-point swing from deep proved to be the separation the Hokies needed.
The Tigers also left points at the line, going 11-for-18, while Virginia Tech was a perfect 13-for-13 from the stripe. In a game where every possession mattered, those missed opportunities loomed large.
What’s Next
Clemson won’t have much time to dwell on this one. A major test awaits on Saturday, as the Tigers head to Durham to face No.
4 Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Tip-off is set for noon on ESPN.
With ACC standings tightening and March creeping closer, this weekend’s matchup could carry serious implications.
Quick Hits:
- Clemson is now 94-35 overall since the start of the 2022-23 season, including a 53-19 mark in ACC play.
- Welling’s 19 points marked a new season high, along with his three blocks.
- Buckner and Davidson continue to be reliable scoring options off the bench, combining for 32 points in this one.
Clemson’s depth is real, and there’s no questioning the fight in this team. But if they want to keep pace in the ACC race, they’ll need to tighten up the perimeter defense and make the most of their trips to the line - especially with a powerhouse like Duke waiting in the wings.