Duke Outlasts Clemson in Final Seconds Thriller, Securing 72-71 Victory at Cameron Indoor Stadium
Durham, NC – In a captivating ACC clash that kept the Cameron Indoor Stadium crowd on the edge of their seats until the very end, the 12th-ranked Duke Blue Devils emerged victorious over the Clemson Tigers with a thrilling 72-71 victory.
A Tale of Two Halves:
The first half unfolded as a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and the lead changing hands several times. Duke’s offense, led by the dynamic duo of Tyrese Proctor and Jared McCain, found success from beyond the arc, connecting on multiple three-pointers to build a nine-point lead midway through the half. However, Clemson responded with a surge of their own, sparked by PJ Hall and Chase Hunter, to close the gap and trail by just four points heading into halftime.
Second Half Drama:
The intensity and drama escalated in the second half as both teams battled fiercely for control of the game. Clemson, with Hall asserting his presence in the paint, managed to regain the lead and held a four-point advantage with just over two minutes remaining. The Cameron Crazies erupted as Duke responded with a lightning-quick layup by McCain, followed by a clutch and-one play by Kyle Filipowski to tie the score with 19.2 seconds left on the clock.
Proctor’s Heroics and a Nail-Biting Finish:
With the game hanging in the balance, Clemson’s Tyrese Proctor stepped up to the free-throw line and calmly sank two shots to give the Tigers a two-point lead. However, Proctor wasn’t finished yet. After Duke called a timeout to set up a potential game-winning play, Proctor intercepted the inbound pass and drove the length of the court, drawing a foul and earning a trip to the free-throw line. With ice in his veins, Proctor sank both free throws to secure the victory for Duke, sending Cameron Indoor into a frenzy.
Key Performers:
Tyrese Proctor led the scoring for Duke with 18 points, showcasing his all-around game with efficient shooting from the field, beyond the arc, and the free-throw line. Jared McCain was equally impressive, contributing 21 points, including several key baskets in the second half. Kyle Filipowski made a significant impact with 15 points, including the crucial and-one play that tied the game late.
For Clemson, PJ Hall finished with 19 points, but his production was limited by Duke’s defense in the first half. Chase Hunter added 14 points for the Tigers, while Alex Hemenway and Jack Clark chipped in with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Coach’s Corner:
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer expressed his pride in his team’s resilience and determination, particularly highlighting Filipowski’s clutch play and Proctor’s game-winning free throws. He also acknowledged the challenges presented by Clemson’s physicality and praised his players for their preparation and execution.
Clemson head coach Brad Brownell lamented the missed opportunities and turnovers that ultimately cost his team the game. He commended Duke’s defense for limiting Hall’s effectiveness in the first half and praised Proctor for his heroic performance down the stretch.
Looking Ahead:
With the victory, Duke improves to 15-4 overall and 6-2 in ACC play, keeping pace with the top teams in the conference. The Blue Devils will face another tough test on Monday when they travel to Blacksburg, Virginia, to take on Virginia Tech. Following that, they will host archrival North Carolina in a highly anticipated matchup at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Clemson, now 13-6 overall and 3-5 in ACC play, will look to bounce back when they host Wake Forest on Wednesday. The Tigers will aim to regroup and regain their momentum as they navigate the remainder of their conference schedule.
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