Chase Hunter’s Second-Half Surge Lifts Clemson Past SMU, Into ACC Semifinals

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Chase Hunter came up clutch when it mattered most, pouring in 21 points, including 15 in the second half, to lead No. 10 Clemson to a 57-54 victory over sixth-seeded SMU in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals at the Spectrum Center. The win, powered by Clemson’s senior class, propels the third-seeded Tigers (27-5) into the ACC Tournament semifinals for the 15th time in program history and the fourth time under Head Coach Brad Brownell.

Hunter Delivers in the Clutch

With 6.8 seconds left, SMU’s Chuck Harris had a chance to steal the win with a three-point attempt, but his shot missed. After review, possession went to Clemson. Hunter then sealed the victory with a free throw with 3.2 seconds remaining, and SMU’s final desperation shot failed to connect.

Clemson’s defensive dominance proved decisive, as the Tigers held SMU to just 1-for-14 from three-point range and didn’t allow a single field goal in the final 6:14 of play.

With the win, Clemson advances to face No. 2 seed Louisville at 9:30 p.m. on Friday night. The 13th-ranked Cardinals (26-6) enter the matchup on a 10-game winning streak, having won 20 of their last 21 games.

Hunter’s Historic Performance Leads the Way

Hunter, who set a Clemson record with his 110th career win, finished with 21 points, shooting 7-for-13 from the field and 5-for-8 from the free-throw line. Jaeden Zackery contributed 11 points and three steals, while Ian Schieffelin grabbed 12 rebounds to go along with nine points. Viktor Lakhin added seven points, despite being limited by foul trouble.

Tigers Grind Through First Half

Neither team was able to establish a commanding lead early, but Clemson never trailed after Schieffelin’s jumper just 32 seconds into the game. Hunter knocked down a left-wing three-pointer—the 198th of his career—to push Clemson’s lead to 22-14 with 6:00 to play in the half. He then followed it up with a big blocked shot on the defensive end.

SMU fought back, cutting the deficit to just one point (28-27) at the halftime buzzer. Clemson struggled offensively, hitting just 8 of 23 shots, and went the final six minutes without a field goal. However, strong defense and 10-for-14 free-throw shooting allowed the Tigers to maintain a slim lead.

Second-Half Battle Sees Hunter Take Over

SMU started the second half strong, taking its first lead and building a 39-34 advantage just over four minutes in. But Del Jones stopped the run with a driving layup, and Hunter followed with a clutch left-corner three-pointer out of a timeout, reclaiming the lead at 41-39 with 11:50 to play.

Despite SMU’s persistence, Hunter kept Clemson in the fight, scoring nine straight points at one stage. The Tigers then held SMU to just two points over a four-minute stretch, fueling a 9-2 run that gave them a 54-51 lead with just over three minutes remaining.

With 1:46 left, Hunter delivered once again, hitting a tough fadeaway jumper to extend the lead to 56-52—a shot that ultimately helped secure the victory.

Game Notes & Record-Breaking Performances

• Chase Hunter has now played in 165 games under Brad Brownell, tying for 9th-most player-coach appearances in NCAA history.
• Hunter’s 4,504 career minutes move him past Tim Duncan (4,496) into 17th place in ACC history.
• Jaeden Zackery’s three steals give him 64 on the season, tying him for 8th on Clemson’s single-season list.
• Ian Schieffelin’s 12 rebounds marked his 15th double-digit rebounding game this season.
• Clemson’s 57 points were their fewest in an ACC Tournament win since defeating Virginia 57-49 in 1980.
• Brad Brownell extended his program-record ACC Tournament win total to eight—no other Clemson coach has won more than three.
• Clemson’s 27th win sets a school record for victories in a single season.

Up Next: A Clash with Louisville

With a trip to the ACC Championship Game on the line, Clemson will face No. 2 seed Louisville in the semifinals. The Cardinals, riding a 10-game winning streak, will present a tough challenge, but with Hunter’s leadership and Clemson’s defensive tenacity, the Tigers are primed for another fight.