Ken Ruinard / USA TODAY Sports
Tyson's 3-pointer Lifts Clemson over Hokies
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CLEMSON, S.C. — Hunter Tyson made a three-pointer with 10 seconds to play, while Hunter Cattoor’s attempt to win the game for Virginia Tech fell short with four seconds to go, as No. 19 Clemson beat the Hokies 51-50 Saturday at Littlejohn Coliseum.
"He is one of our best players and he has been in it. I just felt like he was going to make a play today," Clemson head coach Brad Brownell said about Tyson's game-winning shot. "He had the option. He could shoot the three. He could drive. He could throw it to PJ. He could do different things.
"But I told him, 'If you are open, shoot it.'"
And he did. Tyson’s three-pointer was only the third three-pointer of the evening for the Tigers and the only one of second half.
"What a hard game. Both teams, I thought, just defended like crazy and just competed," Brownell said. "We both know each other so well. Just a ton of respect between the two programs on how you do things."
PJ Hall led the Tigers (16-4, 8-1 ACC) with a game-high 20 points. Tyson finished with 12 points. The Hokies were led by Grant Basile’s 13 points and eight rebounds.
"PJ made a heck of a shot late. Squirreled one in," Brownell said. "I thought he was fantastic all game, just playing with confidence and bringing positive energy to our team.
"Hunter Tyson, the same thing. In every huddle he was challenging our team and each other. We just had good spirit throughout the day. I am just pleased and real happy for him to make a huge shot like that -- that was big time."
Tyson led the Tigers with nine rebounds, while Hall had eight.
Clemson won its 14th straight game inside Littlejohn, the longest current home win streak in the ACC. The win allowed the Tigers to sweep the season series with Hokies and stay in first place, a game in front of Virginia in the ACC standings.
The Hokies (11-8, 1-7 ACC) had a 50-48 lead with 21 seconds to go when Tyson grabbed his eighth rebound following Basile’s missed free throw.
After a timeout, Brownell drew up a play for Tyson, that got him the ball just left of the key, which he drained for the eventual game-winner with 10 seconds remaining on the clock.
"PJ set a great screen," Tyson said afterward. "It just means a lot, Coach Brownell going to me at that moment in the game. I had missed a couple (of shots), but he stayed confident in me. He drew up the play and it worked out pretty well."
The overall shooting was not pretty for either squad. Clemson shot just 38 percent from the field, while Virginia Tech was 35 percent. The Tigers were just 3-of-18 from beyond the arc, while the Hokies were 6-of-22.
Clemson grabbed a five-point lead, 44-39, with 7:15 to play following an old-school three-point play from Hall. However, the Hokies eventually tied the game at 44 following a Collins’ three and Basile layup with 5:01 to go.
After building a 22-16 lead on an Ian Schieffelin jumper with 7:57 to play in the first half, Clemson did not make a single field goal the rest of the half. The Tigers finished the first 20 minutes missing their last eight shots.
With Clemson cold, the Hokies took advantage by outscoring the Tigers 15-4. Clemson was just 9-of-27 from the field in the opening half and just 2-of-9 from behind the arc.
Virginia Tech opened the second half just 1-of-13 and at one point missed eight straight shots.
Stat of the game: Clemson finished the night with three made three-pointers. The Tigers were just 17 percent from behind the arc, the second straight home game they made just 17 percent of their three-point attempts.
Injury update: Point Guard Chase Hunter missed his second straight game due to an ankle injury he suffered in last week’s Duke game. Josh Beadle, again, started in Hunter’s place. Guard Alex Hemenway missed his eighth straight game due to a foot injury.
Player of the Game: Hall scored a game-high 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds. He was 7-of-16 from the floor and 5-of-6 at the foul line.
Key Moment: Basile missed the second of two free throws attempts with 21 seconds to play, setting up Tyson's game-winning three for Clemson.
Up next: Clemson will play host to Georgia Tech at Littlejohn on Tuesday. Tip is set for 9 p.m. Their current odds of winning the ACC are +450, according to Fanduel.
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