CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a gripping semifinal clash at the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament on Friday night, Terrence Edwards led No. 13 Louisville to a nail-biting 76-73 victory over No. 10 Clemson. Edwards showcased his scoring prowess, contributing 21 points to the Cardinal’s win, while J’Vonne Hadley also impressed with 20 points and nine rebounds. This victory advances Louisville (27-6) to Saturday’s championship game.
Chucky Hepburn, who played a pivotal role in Louisville’s thrilling 75-73 quarterfinal win against Stanford, chipped in with 12 points. Clemson (27-6) put up a valiant fight, with Chase Hunter scoring a remarkable 23 points, and Ian Schieffelin dominating the boards with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
As they seek their first ACC title, Louisville is set to face the top-seeded Duke, who narrowly defeated North Carolina 74-71 in the other semifinal showdown.
The Cardinals managed to stifle Clemson’s offense for a crucial stretch, keeping them without a field goal for over six minutes in the second half, which resulted in a 67-52 lead with just 3:50 left on the clock. However, Clemson displayed grit and cut the deficit to just two points with 54 seconds to go, thanks to Hunter’s layup, marking 19 of his second-half points.
After Louisville got called for a shot-clock violation, Clemson had a critical opportunity to tie the game or take the lead, only to be thwarted by James Scott, who blocked Hunter’s drive with a decisive defensive play. This allowed Hepburn to sink 1 of 2 free throws, securing a three-point lead, and Hunter’s desperate 3-point attempt from 25 feet at the buzzer failed to find the mark.
For Clemson, this contest underscores their resilience and potentially identifies them as a formidable opponent in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Louisville may appear susceptible to turnovers, notably when subjected to full-court pressure, as exhibited late in the game.
A critical moment unfolded when Scott’s block on Hunter’s layup attempt stirred some controversy, with Clemson contesting no foul was called. Throughout the game, a total of 41 fouls were registered, underscoring the physical nature of the matchup.
Clemson now turns its focus to the NCAA Tournament, awaiting their position in the seeding.
