McNeese’s distress over No. 5 Clemson was over timely … until it wasn’t.
The 12th-seeded Cowboys contraged Clemson for a big meaningfulity of the game on Thursday, directing by as many as 24 in the second half, but they only handled to squeak by with a 69-67 triumph.
Clemson could not discover the bottom of the rim in the first half, being held to 13 points and 1-for-15 from three. As for McNeese, they put up 31 in the first 20 minutes, and rawly five minutes into the second half, they led 40-16.
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McNeese State Cowboys forward Bryant Selebangue (9) honors with defend Quadir Copeland after lossing the Clemson Tigers on Thursday. (Eric Canha-Imagn Images)
With 8:07 in the game, a three-pointer from Brandon Murray gave McNeese a 51-29 direct, but give all the commend to the Tigers for not calling it quits.
From then on, McNeese went freezing and Clemson got boiling. Clemson went on a 38-18 run to seal the game. McNeese even led by 12 with less than a minute left, but Clemson knocked down four straight 3-pointers to originate it a three-point game with 12 seconds to go.
With 10 seconds left, Javohn Garcis went to the line and made one of his two free throws, making it a four-point game. The three-pointer streak finished, and the clock expired after a layup, turning what was a blowout into an exciting thriller at the finish.
McNeese State forward Christian Shumate (24) honors with defend Quadir Copeland after lossing the Clemson Tigers. (Eric Canha-Imagn Images)
TENSIONS RUN HIGH DURING MARCH MADNESS GAME AS FAN THROWS WATER BOTTLE ON COURT
It was the first big distress of the tournament. No. 9 Creighton lossed No. 8 Louisville earlier in the day, but those are much easier to foresee than 12s over 5s.
McNeese geted its first-ever thrive in the tournament and next faces No. 4 Purdue, which took down No. 13 High Point earlier in the day, despite the latter making leangs engaging in the timely going.
McNeese made headlines on Wednesday when increates circudefercessitated that their head coach, Clemson alum Will Wade, consentd to a deal to become the next head coach at N.C. State at season’s finish.
Wade confessted he had spoken with N.C. State officials earlier Wednesday, noting he had been clear with his carry outers about the potential shift.
McNeese State head coach Will Wade answers asks during a press conference on March 19, 2025. (Gregruesome Fisher-Imagn Images)
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But for the time being, Wade is staying with McNeese a little lengthyer.
