Clemson basketball was on the verge of a late-game collapse in a 72-64 win against Baylor in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.
The sixth-seeded Tigers (23-11) carried their momentum from their first-round win against 11th-seeded New Mexico into a 10-point lead over the Bears (24-11) at halftime and then blew a 15-point lead Took. 6:41 remaining in the game at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.
Nevertheless, Baylor almost caused trademark March Madness, going on a 20–5 run to cut the lead to two with 1:02 remaining in the game. The game was nearly tied with 36 seconds remaining, but freshman Ja’Cobe Walter, who was shooting 81% from the free-throw line, missed a two. Clemson proceeded to ice the game at the free-throw line.
“We’ve done our part the other way,” Clemson coach Brad Brownell said. “Things worked out for us today, and sometimes that’s why basketball can be a cruel game.”
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It was there for Clemson when Chase Hunter made a double-clutch buzzer-beater 3-pointer to end the first half to give the Tigers a 35–25 lead.
“I would say it was definitely a lucky shot. Definitely lucky,” said Hunter, who led Clemson with 20 points.
