With 0.3 seconds left in regulation, Chase Hunter banked in a contested 3-pointer to force overtime in one of the most thrilling Palmetto Series matchups in recent memory.
Despite Hunter’s heroics and his game-high 27-point performance, No. 25-ranked Clemson fell just short in a heartbreaking 91-88 overtime loss to South Carolina at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina.
Overtime delivered all the intensity expected from a fierce rivalry. Ian Schieffelin fouled out just eight seconds into the extra period after a 23-point, 12-rebound performance, earning him a sixth double-double of the season.
South Carolina’s Nick Pringle and Collin Murray-Boyles soon followed, leaving both teams without key frontcourt players.
With the game shifting to guard play, the Gamecocks capitalized, going on a 9-2 run to take a 7-point lead. Hunter responded with a late 5-point burst to bring the Tigers within striking distance, but his final attempt to force a second overtime only found air.
Hunter’s heroics defined the game for the Tigers, as he scored 8 points in the final 90 seconds of regulation to erase a 7-point deficit.
South Carolina (8-3) capitalized early in the game on Clemson’s sluggish start. The Tigers managed as many turnovers (5) as made baskets in the first 13 minutes and struggled to connect from three, shooting just 14% in the first half.
Jake Heidbreder ignited the Tigers with a crucial 12-point surge late in the first half, breathing new life into Clemson’s offense.
Coming off the bench, Heidbreder delivered a perfect shooting performance in the first half and finished with a season-high 10 points on 3-for-5 shooting from the field. He also logged a season-high 26 minutes on the hardwood.
Despite Clemson’s late surge, a 10-2 run by the Gamecocks pushed the Tigers into their largest halftime deficit of the season, trailing by 8 points at the break.
However, emotions overflowed as Clemson guard Dillon Hunter was later ejected for an intentional headbutt. Center Viktor Lakhin fouled out with two minutes to go.
Jaeden Zackery was another bright spot for the Tigers, recording his fourth double-digit scoring performance in the last five games. Clemson started connecting from deep in the second half, finishing 42.9% from beyond the arc.
The Tigers will look to bounce back from their two-game skid when they host Wake Forest at home on Saturday at 2 p.m.
