:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58960267/usa_today_10687417.0.jpg)
Clemson 90- BC 82
Playing their third game in three days, the Eagles did not have quite enough left in the tank this afternoon to unseat #4 Clemson in the quarterfinals. The effort was there but the legs were a step behind as they fell to the Tigers 90-82.
The Eagles tried to get off to a quick start again this afternoon, but after a 7-0 BC start, Clemson began to heat up and hit five 3s in the opening eight minutes. After dominating the boards yesterday, the Tigers were able to push BC off the boards, and ended the first half +4 over BC in rebounds. After trailing by as much as 14, the Eagles cut the lead to 7 fueled by Jordan Chatman’s 5-6 shooting for 13 points. Jerome Robinson and Ky Bowman combined to go 1-9 from the field in the half.
Perimeter defense has been an issue for the Eagles all season, and this particular demon surfaced again tonight as six different Tigers hit from behind the arc for twelve 3s. Fatigue was unfortunately a big factor in this one; the Clemson defense looked fresh as they swarmed the floor. Meanwhile, Robinson and Bowman, who had put up huge performances all tournament, seemed to finally be running out of gas.
Just when they appeared completely out of the game, Robinson found another gear and ripped off three 3’s in a row to pull the Eagles back within 8. Bowman, not to be outdone, knocked down a pair of his own to make it a 2-point game. The Tigers were able to weather the storm and answer with an 8-0 run to push the lead back to 10, a lead that was too much for BC to make up in the final 2:31. Clemson’s Gabe Devoe was the game’s leading scorer with 25. Bowman and Robinson, after a quiet first half, ended the day with 23 and 20. Steffon Mitchell and Bowman were both big on the boards, grabbing 9 and 8 rebounds respectively with a block each.
While this ends the Eagles’ ACC Tournament, they will be awaiting the Selection Sunday process to see if they have done enough to grab an NIT bid. They end the season with a 19-15 record, with 9 ACC wins.