The Clemson men’s basketball team (14-6, 4-5 ACC) defeated the Louisville Cardinals (6-15, 1-9 ACC) by a score of 70-64 at Littlejohn Coliseum on Tuesday night.
Despite a slow start, the Tigers used their three stars, Joe Girard III, Chase Hunter and PJ Hall, to combine for 54 of Clemson’s total in the victory. Their strong lead helped contain a late Louisville surge, grading Clemson their fourth win in conference play. With the Tigers entering a tough stretch of ACC matchups coming up, a win was crucial for building momentum.
The game was a roller coaster of emotions for head coach Brad Brownell and his squad. The beginning of the first half gave the Cardinals an early lead, holding the home team with a 14-11 lead halfway through the first half.
Despite the deficit, the Tigers rattled off an 18-6 run to close out the first frame. Chase Hunter led the scoring in the half, scoring 11 to help his team take a comfortable lead going into the break.
Clemson picked up right where they left off to begin the second half, leading by as much as 24 points with 13 minutes to go in the contest. Perhaps the team took their foot off the gas, and the Cardinals spurred a comeback.
Head coach Kenny Payne and his squad went on a 31-11 run in ten minutes, cutting the comfortable Clemson lead to just four points before the Tigers were intentionally fouled to close out the game. Guard Tre White helped lead the charge, scoring a career-high 29 points for the Cardinals in the effort.
It might have not been pretty, but after some scored free throws on the offensive side of the ball, the Tigers were back on track with a win.
After the game, Brownell would speak to the media on his thoughts on the defense, which he praised for a great game.
“I feel like our defense is improving and we got a lot of first shot misses as well,” he elaborated. “I thought we mixed in some zone which was good for us.”
Hall, once again, led the way for the Tigers, continuing his incredible stretch at home. The center scored 25 points on Tuesday night, earning himself five rebounds as well. Throughout his last three games in Littlejohn, the senior has averaged 27.3 points per game.
“He’s a stud,” Brownell said about his standout center. “He’s a first team all-conference player. We go to him when we can [and] he makes clutch plays when you need him. I’m lucky to coach him.”
The Spartanburg, South Carolina, native would speak on the importance of the win, despite the opponent of the Cardinals, who are last in the ACC. It comes after the heartbreaking loss to Duke, where Hall and his team would fall just short of shocking the world.
“It’s difficult,” he said, “but at the same time, anybody who is competitive is ready to play.”
Hunter followed behind, scoring an impressive 16 points of his own off of incredible efficiency. He would also add two assists.
Girard would also score 13 points, sinking two three-pointers in the victory.
Clemson will be back in action on Saturday afternoon at home, when they will face the Virginia Cavaliers in a ACC matchup that would be huge for the Tigers’ resume. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN, tipoff set for 2:00 p.m.
