Last-second shot lifts Miami over Clemson

Clemson played a perfect defensive possession, but a seemingly errant jumper fired by Miami’s Zach Johnson banged around the backboard and rim, and somehow fell through the net with 0.4 seconds to play to lift the Hurricanes over the Tigers 65-64 on Wednesday night.

Clemson led 26-24 at halftime after a forgettable first half for both teams, but Miami made 8 of its first 9 three-point attempts after the break to build a 10-point lead with 14 minutes to play.

But the Tigers refused to go away, as a previously quiet Marcquise Reed scored 13 points down the stretch to lead them all the way back. Clemson took a 64-63 lead on Reed’s free throw with 1:16 remaining.

After the teams traded empty possessions, Miami had one last chance with 20 seconds left. A frantic possession made difficult by the Tigers’ defense led to Johnson tossing a heavily contested fall-away jumper in the direction of the basket.

Unfortunately for Clemson, the shot somehow found the bottom of the basket after hitting the backboard and rim multiple times each, giving the Canes a one-point win.

The game was certainly not the Tigers’ best performance, but their final defensive possession should have been good enough for a win. An unlucky bounce of the ball didn’t give them the chance.

Reed led Clemson with 19 points but was just 5-17 from the field. Eli Thomas and Shelton Mitchell added 16 and 15, respectively while Trapp provided 9 points off the bench on 4-4. The Tigers were just 3-19 from three-point territory. They’ve been very successful this season when they can hit some threes (they had 11 against Virginia Tech), but the offense has struggled when they can’t space the floor with quality shooting.

They are back in action against Louisville in KFC Yum! Center at noon on Saturday. Check back with us for a preview of that upcoming contest.