Pitt
(12-16,2-13ACC)
Clemson
(17-11, 7-8ACC)
Clemson Holds Off Pitt's Comeback Attempt for 62-48 Win
2/27/2019 9:28:00 PM | Men's Basketball
PITTSBURGH (AP) Marcquise Reed scored 14 points, Elijah Thomas added 12 points and eight rebounds and Clemson rode a hot start to fight off the Panthers' second half comeback attempt and earn the 62-48 victory over Pitt on Wednesday night.
The Tigers (17-11, 7-8 Atlantic Coast Conference) made their first five 3-pointers and led by as much as 22, then clamped down late after the Panthers drew within 10. Clemson held Pitt to just 27 percent (12-of-44) shooting to beat the Panthers for the sixth straight time.
Freshman Xavier Johnson led Pitt (12-16, 2-13 ACC) with 14 points, but the freshman guard also committed eight of his team's 13 turnovers. Sophomore Terrell Brown scored 11 points for Pitt, but the Panthers never led while dropping their 11th consecutive game.
The Tigers are trying to work their way to the right side of the bubble in search of their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. A misstep against the Panthers would have cost them dearly. Instead, they came out with the all-important victory.
Clemson needed less than two minutes to build a 10-point lead. Shelton Mitchell hit a 3-pointer on the Tigers' first trip down the court. Reed added another on Clemson's second. The Tigers hit their first five 3-point attempts in all, including a heave from David Skara as the shot clock expired that banked in and boosted the advantage to 18-5. The 3-point streak ended when Aamir Simms missed a wide-open look from the corner, but he atoned on Clemson's next possession and the Tigers just kept on rolling.
The Panthers, as they did in the first meeting with the Tigers, pushed back in the second half, but it ultimately wasn't enough.
Pitt drew within 10 points twice in the final eight minutes, but got no closer.
BIG PICTURE
Clemson: The Tigers have done pretty well at beating the lesser teams in the ACC but probably could use another marquee name on its resume to go with an upset of No. 20 Virginia Tech earlier this month. Two opportunities remain in the regular season: on Saturday against No. 5 North Carolina and on March 9 against Syracuse.
Pitt: The Panthers have taken steps forward in head coach Jeff Capel's first season, but the grind of the ACC has worn a young and undersized roster down.
UP NEXT
Clemson: Will try to beat the Tar Heels at home for the second straight season on Saturday. The Tigers won 82-78 in last year's meeting at Littlejohn Coliseum.
Pitt: Visits No. 2 Virginia on Saturday.
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