Cardinals Drop Road Matchup at ACC-Leading Clemson

Wednesday, January 11

Clemson, SC

9 p.m.

University of Louisville

2-15,0-6ACC

Clemson

14-3,6-0ACC

Louisville

Clemson

January 11, 2023 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Zach Greenwell

CLEMSON, S.C. — Louisville men's basketball fought back again from a double-digit deficit in the second half Wednesday, but couldn't get over the hump in an 83-70 loss at Clemson.

The Cardinals (2-15, 0-6 ACC) trailed by as much as 17 early in the second half, then climbed back within six on multiple occasions in the final minutes.

Clemson (14-3, 6-0), which holds sole possession of first place in the league, stayed on top by shooting 52.8% from the field and making 19 of 23 free throws.

"There's a reason they're in first place in this conference – because they're connected," UofL head coach Kenny Payne said. "If you're not desperately defending them, they're going to burn you."

Louisville led 16-7 early after a 9-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer from redshirt junior forward Jae'Lyn Withers at the 12:41 mark.

Clemson went on a 26-6 spurt from there to take a 33-22 advantage until redshirt freshman guard/forward Mike James snapped the streak with a three-point play.

Senior guard El Ellis made a 3 with 37 seconds left to trim the Cardinals halftime deficit to 40-28.

The Tigers pushed their lead to 49-32 with 17:04 remaining, but Louisville went on a 7-0 run, including four James free throws and a three-point play from junior forward JJ Traynor.

Withers' third 3 made it a 62-55 game with 7:16 to go, and another long-range shot from freshman forward Kamari Lands cut it to 72-66 with 2:52 to play.

Clemson answered with a corner 3 from Hunter Tyson, and although Louisville got it to 76-70 with 1:19 remaining on a putback by Traynor, the Tigers scored the game's final seven points – five of them from the free-throw line.

Tyson had 28 points and 11 rebounds to lead Clemson, which scored 18 points off Louisville's 15 turnovers.

James paced Louisville with 17 points and five rebounds, while Ellis added 12 points and five assists. Senior forward Sydney Curry chipped in 10 points and six boards, and Traynor provided nine points and five rebounds off the bench.

James is the first Louisville freshman to score at least 17 in three straight games since DeJuan Wheat in 1993-94.

"I think I got to the basket pretty good," James said. "Posted smaller guards, got fouled, made free throws. Just used my physicality to get to the line."

Louisville is back at home this weekend to host North Carolina at 2 p.m. ET Saturday at the KFC Yum! Center. The game is a White Out and will air on ESPN.