Basketball
NO.21 CLEMSON LOSES 89-86 TRIPLE-OVERTIME HEARTBREAKER TO GEORGIA TECH
- 2025-02-09 13:56:41
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CLEMSON, SC - With a potential showdown with Duke for first place in the ACC standings looming, the stage was set for a vintage "trap game" scenario late Tuesday night. Tech was coming off a big upset of No.21 Louisville just three days prior, so I don't think the Tigers were in any way looking past the Jackets ahead to Duke, but they did not bring their A game to Littlejohn on this night. It was a sloppy game throughout with many missed open shots and turnovers. But more importantly, the Tigers were killed on the glass, allowing 24 offensive rebounds and 29 points on second and third chances. It was a particular detriment in overtime. Viktor was saddled with foul trouble throughout, playing just 16 of the 55 minutes, and fouled out in the first overtime period. The Tigers had open shots to win the game at the end of each of the first two overtime periods but missed, and Chase missed his three-point attempt at the buzzer to send the game to a fourth overtime.
Three of the Tigers' five losses this season have come in overtime, and they have won just one such game, at Pitt. They will have to put the heartbreak of this loss out of their minds quickly with the monumental challenge facing them. Duke is the hottest team in the country, winning 16 straight games, and should be ranked No.1. The Devils have lost just two games--to Kentucky and Kansas--and they beat Auburn--also with two losses--head to head. Duke has one of the best defenses in the nation and is probably the biggest team in the nation across the board, averaging nearly 6'8. The Tigers will have to rebound much better, and Viktor will have to stay on the court for the Tigers to have a chance at the upset.
Post-game interviews and highlights are below!
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