The No. 16-ranked Clemson men’s basketball team couldn’t do enough offensively on Saturday, as it fell to No. 8 North Carolina 65-55 at Littlejohn Coliseum.
In a game that was close until the final few minutes, the Tigers’ poor shooting is what ultimately cost them. As a team, Clemson shot 1-for-18 from beyond the arc and 36.2% from the field. Center PJ Hall and guard Joseph Girard III, the Tigers’ top two scorers, combined for 5-for-23 shooting.
“You can’t go 1-for-18 from three-point range and expect to win the game,” Brownell said.
On a positive note, forward Ian Schieffelin had arguably his best game as a Tiger, finishing with 16 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks, five steals and two assists.
Still, the Tar Heels’ defense, physicality and late-game scoring were too much for Clemson to overcome.
“That was a very physical game,” Clemson head coach Brad Brownell said. “Bodies were flying all over the place, but their guys made more plays, and that was the difference in the game.”
With the defeat, the Tigers (11-3, 1-2 ACC) suffered their third loss of the year as they entered into the weeds of conference play.
Here are some of the best photos from Saturday’s matchup: