FEDEX FORUM, MEMPHIS: Clemson nearly coughed up a 15-point lead in the final six minutes Sunday night against Baylor in Memphis, but the Tigers made their free throws while the Bears came up empty in desperation time, and the Tigers secured a 72-64 win to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. The #6 Tigers will face #2 seed Arizona in the West Regional semi-finals Thursday night at 7:09pm (EDT) in Los Angeles.
Clemson never trailed against the Bears. In fact, in their 80 minutes on the floor in their two games in Memphis, the Tigers led for all by 3;52. Against Baylor, the Tigers were up 35-25 at the half after a Chase Hunter three-pointer at the buzzer.
The Tigers were well prepared for the Bears’ outside shooting prowess and limited them to 3-9 beyond the arc in the first twenty minutes.
That defensive strategy continued in the second half as the Bears made just 3-15 from deep. Yet, Baylor was able to trim the lead by playing some tough defense themselves. They held the Tigers without a basket for the final 6:41.
At that point, Clemson led 61-46 after a flip-shot, over the head bucket by Ian Schieffelin. He was fouled on the shot but missed the free throw. The Bears then scored the next nine points to pull to within 61-55 with 4:19 remaining.
Chase Hunter hit a pair of free throws, but the Bears scored the next four points for a 63-59 game with 2:43 to play. After Hunter went 1-2 from the line, Ja’kobe Walter converted a three-point play, and the Tigers’ lead was 64-62 with 2:19 on the clock.
The teams exchanged a pair of free throws, and then the Tigers got the break they needed to secure the win. Baylor came up with a turnover, and Walter was fouled going to the basket.
An 81% free throw shooter, Walter missed both shots with a chance to tie. The Tigers rebounded and RJ Godfrey was fouled.
Godfrey, a 56% free throw shooter, calmly knocked down both shots for a 68-64 lead with :29 left. After the Bears missed a three, Joseph Girard grabed the rebound and was fouled. He made both and the Tigers could finally exhale with a 70-64 lead with :19 remaining.
After one final missed three by Baylor, Godfrey added the final touches with two more free throws.
Free throw shooting was a major difference in the outcome. The Tigers were 20-24 from the line while the Bears were 16-26. Baylor finished 6-24 from three as Clemson held the Bears and New Mexico to a combined nine made three-pointers.
Hunter led Clemson with 20 points and had half of their six deep balls. He also had six assists and two rebounds. The Tigers had 16 assists on their 23 baskets to the Bears seven on 21. Baylor’s RayJ Dennis led all scorers with 27 points.
The Tigers, who are 23-11, are moving on to the Sweet 16 for the fifth time in program history and the second time under Brad Brownell. They last reached this point of the tournament in 2018.