Clemson got lured into a rock fight at Boston College, Tuesday, and the Tigers took the worst of it in a 62-54 loss to the Eagles. Clemson hit seven of its first 11 shots to take an early advantage, but the well soon went dry and BC closed the first half on a 22-5 run.
The second half was more of the same as the Eagles’ physical post players gave P.J. Hall fits and the Tigers guards failed to capitalize on open looks from the perimeter. Hall scored nine points and grabbed nine rebounds but went just 3 of 12 from the field. Hunter Tyson was the lone bright spot offensively, scoring 22 points on 6 of 13 shooting. Saturday’s hero, Chase Hunter, joined Tyson in double figures with 12 points but misfired on all five of his 3-point attempts. The Tigers were stellar from the foul line, hitting 16 of 16, but that will be just a footnote thanks to Clemson’s 31% shooting. Alex Hemenway returned to action, missing his only shot in 15 minutes of playing time. Brevin Galloway remains unavailable.
Boston College struggled against Clemson’s defense, as well. The Eagles suffered through a 6:29 scoring drought in the second half, but the Tigers couldn’t cobble together enough offense to finish off the comeback. Clemson missed 17 straight shots over a 13-minute span as BC put the game away.
Head coach Brad Brownell said, “For whatever reason, we just panicked tonight …. Give Boston College credit. They outplayed us. Outcoached us.”
Of course, the coach on the opposing bench is no stranger to Brownell. BC head coach Earl Grant was an assistant under Brownell at Clemson from 2010 to 2014 before taking the position at College of Charleston.
Clemson (18-5, 10-2) will return home to face Miami (Fl), Saturday. Tipoff from Littlejohn Coliseum is set for 3 p.m.
