A three-pointer by Jake Heidbreder with 10:45 to play brought Clemson to within two points of Louisville at 56-54, but that was all she wrote for the Tigers. The Cardinals held the Tigers scoreless for the next 3:24 while building their lead back up to 11 points and went on to finish off the Tigers 74-64.
The Tigers saw their four game ACC winning streak to open the season end, and they saw their lifetime losing streak in Louisville extend to nine trips.
After Heidbreder’s three, the Tigers missed their next eight shots while the Cards hit three of their next four shots including a three pointer. Heidbreder broke the Clemson slump with a jumper to cut the lead to nine, but that was as close as Clemson would get the rest of the way.
Louisville grew the lead to 14 points in the final two minutes before Clemson made the final two baskets of the game to account for the final ten-point margin.
Clemson actually owned a six-point lead with 3:13 left in the first half, then Louisville rolled off 14 straight points for a 42-34 lead, and led by seven at the break.
Clemson had one more field goal than Louisville for the game, 26-25, and both teams made eight three-pointers. A major difference on the stat sheet was at the free throw line where the Tigers were outscored 16-4. That’s their fewest points from the line this season.
Chase Hunter led Clemson with 15 points. Ian Schieffelin recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards. J’Vonne Hadley led all scorers with a career high 32 points. He also grabbed 10 rebounds.
Clemson is now 12-4 overall and 4-1 in the ACC and saw their three-game winning streak end. The Tigers return home Saturday to face Florida State at 2:00 PM.
Brad Brownell postgame
Final Stats
