In a thrilling quarterfinal matchup at the ACC Tournament, the Clemson Tigers edged out the SMU Mustangs in a nail-biting 57-54 victory, extending their winning streak to nine games and punching their ticket to the semifinals. This hard-earned win not only reflects Clemson’s determination but also keeps their dreams of an ACC Championship alive.
Chase Hunter led the Tigers with 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting and delivering in crucial moments that helped shift the momentum. Hunter’s incredible performance was historic as well—he has now played in 165 games coached by Brad Brownell, tying them for the ninth-most games by a player-coach duo in NCAA history. Hunter also extended his program record for minutes played to 4,504, surpassing ACC legend Tim Duncan’s 4,496 minutes from 1994-97, and set a new program record with 110 career wins.
Jaeden Zackery added 11 points, including three critical three-pointers, and swiped three steals, bringing his season total to 64. This ties him for eighth on Clemson’s single-season steals list with KC Rivers (2007-08), surpassing Greg Buckner’s 1994-95 mark. Ian Schieffelin was a force on the boards, securing 12 rebounds—his 15th double-digit rebounding performance of the season and the 344th of his career. Together, these standout efforts underscored Clemson’s depth and balance.
Dillon Hunter suffered a right-hand injury in the first half, which appeared to significantly impact Clemson’s depth. Head Coach Brad Brownell addressed the situation after the game, saying, “Yeah, I don’t think it’s good. I think he probably broke his hand. Yeah, it wasn’t good, and obviously, it’s a little bit of an emotional letdown for your team when the guy’s been playing so hard, you get to this time of year, the time of year you want to play and it goes sideways.”
The Mustangs forced 14 turnovers and scored 18 points off those opportunities. However, the Tigers’ defense held firm when it mattered most, limiting SMU to just 33% shooting overall. The turning point came with just under five minutes left, when Viktor Lakhin drained a jumper in the lane to give Clemson a narrow 52-51 lead. That basket lit a spark for the Tigers, who managed to hold their ground in the final minutes. Hunter’s clutch turnaround jumper with two minutes remaining provided a crucial cushion, further proving why he’s one of Clemson’s most reliable players. Ian Schieffelin praised Hunter’s leadership, saying, “Full trust of him. There’s a reason he’s first team all ACC. We’ve gone to him all year. He’s delivered all year. And when he has the ball, we have full trust in him. We know he’s going to make the right play.”
SMU didn’t go down without a fight. In the final seconds, Chuck Harris had an open look for a potential game-tying three-pointer but missed. A video review confirmed SMU touched the ball last on the rebound, sealing their fate. With just 2.1 seconds left, Hunter sank a free throw to ice the game and send the Tigers to the next round.
The Mustangs struggled from long range throughout the game, hitting just 1 of 14 three-point attempts, including 0-for-4 in the second half. Matt Cross led SMU with 13 points and 7 rebounds, while Boopie Miller added 10 points and 4 assists. Despite forcing turnovers and controlling the boards with a 36-31 rebounding edge, SMU’s offensive inefficiency ultimately proved costly.
Clemson, now 27-5 on the season, set a new school record for wins in a single season and advanced to its 15th ACC Tournament semifinal. They will face No. 13 Louisville at 9:30 PM on ESPN, continuing their pursuit of an ACC Championship. Brad Brownell added another chapter to his impressive coaching tenure, extending his program-record ACC Tournament win total to eight—no other Clemson coach has won more than three—and earning his 292nd win at Clemson, the 10th-most in ACC history. Brownell also secured his 459th career victory, solidifying his legacy further.
Clemson’s 57 points were its fewest in an ACC Tournament win since defeating Virginia 57-49 in 1980. Similarly, their defense allowed just 54 points, the fewest since holding Virginia to 49 in the same tournament 43 years ago. Heading into the postseason ranked No. 10 nationally, the highest in program history, the Tigers are positioning themselves as serious contenders for their first-ever ACC Tournament title. Their performance so far has strengthened their case for a high seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, adding another layer of excitement for their fans.
For SMU, this loss likely marks the end of their NCAA Tournament hopes, leaving them to regroup for a potential NIT bid. While the sting of this close defeat will linger, the Mustangs can take this as a learning experience to fuel their preparations for next season.
Clemson’s gritty win serves as a testament to the intensity of tournament basketball, where every play counts and resilience is key. As the Tigers set their sights on ACC glory, the Mustangs are left to reflect on what might have been and focus on building for the future.
