In a thrilling ACC Tournament quarterfinal matchup, Clemson managed to fend off a late surge from North Carolina, sealing an 80-79 victory at the Spectrum Center. This win propels the fifth-seeded Tigers into the semifinals, but it was far from a straightforward path.
Clemson held control for much of the second half, but the Tar Heels weren't going down without a fight. North Carolina unleashed a barrage of three-pointers, hitting five consecutive shots from beyond the arc in the final minutes. This relentless shooting spree sliced Clemson's double-digit lead down to just a single point with a mere 2.7 seconds left on the clock.
The Tar Heels had one last shot at victory, but their desperation heave at the buzzer didn't find the mark, allowing Clemson to breathe a sigh of relief and advance.
This result dashed hopes of a Duke-UNC season trilogy, a matchup that would have been notably different without Caleb Wilson. The freshman had shone in their first meeting, clinching victory with a memorable game-winner against the Blue Devils.
Nick Davidson was the standout performer for Clemson, recording a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. He was nearly flawless, shooting 5-for-6 from the field and sinking all four of his three-point attempts. As a team, Clemson was impressive from downtown, hitting 47% of their shots from beyond the arc.
The Tigers built their largest lead at 61-43 midway through the second half, courtesy of a Davidson three-pointer. Even with a 69-54 advantage and under five minutes to play, North Carolina's late push, ignited by a clutch three from Henri Veesaar, brought them within striking distance. Yet, Clemson held firm in the end.
Next up for Clemson is a semifinal clash against top-seeded Duke, set for Friday night at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. It's a matchup that promises more high-stakes drama as the Tigers continue their quest in the ACC Tournament.