CHARLESTON, S.C. — In order to knock off a ranked opponent in a hostile environment, Clemson was going to need to go punch for punch with a legit tournament team and do so with some passion and intensity.
And while it did for the first half, including holding a 10-point lead at halftime, Clemson was unable to prevent No. 22, St. Bonaventure, from making its run. The Bonnies rallied back to knock off the Tigers 68-65 loss in the second round of the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic.
At one point in the first half, the Bonnies were down by 16 but they continued to claw back and proved why they’re one of the best 25 teams that college basketball has to offer this season.
After shooting just 4-of-12 (33.3%) from beyond the arc in the game’s first frame. Then, a switch flipped at halftime and St. Bonaventure couldn’t miss from deep. The Bonnies finished the game 14-of-24 from 3-point land.
Coming into Friday afternoon’s game, the Bonnies were shooting just 21.7% from deep. The first half was reminiscent of that and then, for whatever reason, they just couldn’t miss.
Behind a 21-2 run, St. Bonaventure was able to take a 58-53 lead. Clemson went on a scoring drought that lasted over six minutes.