Clemson basketball picked up its biggest win of the season in dramatic fashion, overcoming a 15-point deficit with under eight minutes to play to force overtime, where the Tigers knocked off Texas Christian University, 62-60.
The win secured Clemson’s spot in the 2019 MGM Resorts Main Event championship game in Las Vegas, where the Tigers will face No. 23 Colorado for the tournament title.
Clemson got off to a hot start in the first half, holding a 15-10 lead late before TCU sparked an 8-0 run to take the lead. The Horned Frogs would go on to take a 25-23 lead into halftime. TCU came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, going on a 7-0 run to take a 32-23 lead. The Tigers continued to battle, but soon found themselves down 52-37 with less than eight minutes to play.
The comeback was on as the Tigers went on a 15-0 run, with Tevin Mack’s bucket in the final minute tying the game and forcing overtime. Clemson found itself down four early in the extra period, but the Tigers never gave up. Al-Amir Dawes stepped up big for Clemson, nailing a three-pointer with 1:33 left to give the Tigers a lead they would hold for the remainder of the game. TCU had a couple of opportunities to win at the end, but Clemson’s defense stepped up big as Mack secured a rebound with under five seconds to play that iced the game for the Tigers.
Mack finished with 22 points and nine rebounds on the night. Aamir Simms finished with a double-double, racking up 13 points and 12 rebounds. All 13 of Simms’ points came in the second half, helping lead the ferocious Clemson comeback. The comeback was the largest for Clemson since 2011 and the largest in school history when trailing with under eight minutes to play.
The Tigers (5-1) hope the momentum carries over into their matchup on Tuesday night with Colorado. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 11:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.