BROOKLYN — Shelton Mitchell poured in 18 points and Elijah Thomas posted 15 points and seven rebounds, but it would not be enough in a narrow 64-58 loss to No. Virginia in the ACC Tournament semifinals on Friday night inside the Barclays Center.
The Tigers (23-9) got off to a quick start in the opening first part of the game and led the Cavaliers (30-2) 20-13 with 9:32 left in the half, but Virginia went snap off a 16-0 run and take a 29-20 lead with just over a minute to go before the break and took a 32-23 lead into the locker room.
Clemson found itself down by as many as 14 in the second half, 44-30, with 13:06 to go. Slowly but surely the Tigers clawed their way back to within five points on multiple occasions, including just four at 62-58.
The Tigers will learn their NCAA Tournament draw on Selection Sunday (Sun., Mar. 11) at 6 p.m.
