How Clemson scored big ACC basketball win over UNC
Three weeks ago, Clemson’s game against North Carolina was postponed after a positive COVID-19 test in the Tigers program. Clemson hadn’t looked the same since.
The Tigers had an 11-day stretch between games and were destroyed by Virginia upon resuming. It was the start of what ended up being a 1-4 stretch.
After that Jan. 9 postponed game against UNC seemed to halt Clemson’s momentum, Brad Brownell is hopeful Tuesday’s win against the Tar Heels is the start of his team regaining it.
Clemson played arguably its best game of the season Tuesday night, defeating North Carolina 63-50. The win is Clemson’s third in four tries against UNC and was much-needed after Saturday’s 26-point loss at Duke.
“North Carolina’s been playing good basketball, and our guys were really ready. I thought we competed extremely hard,” Brownell said. “I’m just proud of the physicality with which our guys played. ... Big win for us and happy for my players.”
Clemson got it done on both ends of the court, knocking down shots early to help build a 16-point first-half lead and limiting North Carolina’s success in the paint.
The Tar Heels turned it over 17 times, had only seven offensive rebounds and finished with their fewest points against Clemson since 1985.
North Carolina had won three straight games and six of seven heading into Tuesday’s matchup.
“If you’re not physically ready for a fight, they’re going to destroy you, and our guys met the challenge,” Brownell said.
Hunter Tyson was outstanding for Clemson, scoring a team-high 16 points, with four rebounds and two steals. Clyde Trapp added 14 points and nine boards.
Tyson was scoreless in seven minutes Saturday against Duke before playing one of the best games of his career against the Heels. He scored nine points in the final 1:21, knocking down a 3-pointer, hitting a pair of free throws and completing two fast breaks with dunks.
“The one thing you know about Hunter Tyson is he wants to win and he wants to compete. I thought he did that tonight,” Brownell said. “He was fighting like crazy down there. He battled. I’m just really proud of him and his fight.”
Day’Ron Sharpe was the only UNC player to score in double figures, finishing with 16 points. The Tar Heels were 11 of 21 from the free throw line.
Clemson will host Syracuse Saturday at 2 p.m. in its second game of a three-game homestand. UNC travels to Duke Saturday at 6 p.m.
This story was originally published February 2, 2021 at 9:05 PM.
