Clemson Comes Back from 7-Point Halftime to Wins State Championship in the Palmetto Series Rivalry with 72-67
The Clemson men’s basketball (8-0) came back from a seven-point half-time deficit in a thrilling match against their in-state rival, the South Carolina Gamecocks. The match was jam-packed with excitement, as Clemson and South Carolina went neck-to-neck until the very end. This game was all about momentum, as both teams had their runs and droughts. In the end, Clemson’s persistence and smart play prevailed as they rallied together to earn a well-deserved victory.
The first half of the game was evenly matched, but South Carolina started to pull away as Clemson went scoreless over three minutes. The Gamecocks went on an 8-0 run, followed by a 7-0 run to take the lead. Clemson struggled to find their rhythm and went on multiple droughts throughout the first half. They went scoreless in the final seven minutes, allowing South Carolina to take a seven-point lead going into halftime.
The second half started just like the first, with both teams going back and forth. Clemson’s Chase Hunter, who was struggling in the first half, finally got involved in the scoring. At the 14-minute mark, Clemson found their groove and went on an 11-0 run, tying the game. This run was a turning point for Clemson, as they gained momentum and started to push forward.
Clemson took their first lead of the second half by one point at the 9:21 mark with a layup by Josh Beadle. Following this, Chauncey Wiggins made a huge three-pointer, giving Clemson their biggest lead of the game at 54-51. The game continued to be intense, but Clemson managed to hold on to their lead. Hunter made a massive three-pointer at the 1:52 mark to gain a six-point lead, which was the largest lead of the night so far for Clemson.
In the closing seconds of the game, Clemson’s Joseph Girard made two free throws to go up by six points with only 37 seconds left on the clock. Then, Schieffelin made two more crucial free throws with only 24 seconds remaining to give Clemson a seven-point lead. These late-game free throws secured the win for Clemson, a testament to their persistent play throughout the second half.
In terms of individual performances, Wiggins led Clemson with 15 points, followed by PJ Hall with 14 points. Girard and Schieffelin both scored 12 points, while Hunter and Joseph Godfrey contributed 10.
Clemson’s win against South Carolina was filled with excitement and momentum. Despite trailing by seven points at half-time, Clemson’s determination not to lose led them to victory. Their second-half performance showed how they can build momentum and capitalize on opportunities to make an impressive comeback. Clemson improves to 8-0 on the young season with this win and has established its dominance in the state of South Carolina.
