Tigers rally from 16-point deficit late
A 19-4 Clemson run brought the Tigers all the way back from a horrific first half, but Mustapha Farrakhan’s clutch jumper with 35.8 seconds left and four free throws down the stretch helped Virginia escape with a narrow 49-47 win Wednesday night in Charlottesville.
UVa. (12-10, 3-5 ACC) led 29-13 at the half and 38-23 with 10 minutes to go when the air went out of the ball on the Cavs side of the court. A run of empty possessions on the Virginia end opened the door for the extended Clemson run.
A pair of Andre Young free throws tied the game at 42 with 49.7 seconds to go. Farrakhan hit a jumper on the left side of the lane on a pullup to make it 44-42. Demontez Stitt missed the front end of a one-and-one with 26.7 seconds left, and Farrakhan made two pairs of free throws sandwiched around a Devon Booker field goal.
A Milton Jennings three pulled Clemson within one at 48-47 with three seconds left. Farrakhan was fouled on the UVa. inbounds and had to leave the game with an injury. By rule, Clemson coach Brad Brownell was able to pick the replacement free-throw shooter, and he chose 57 percent shooter Assane Sene, who made 1-of-2. Clemson wasn’t able to get a last-second shot off after.
Farrakhan led Virginia with 21 points. Young led Clemson (15-7, 4-4 ACC) with 13 points.
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