Clemson's Struggles Continue at Boston College

Coach Shawn Poppie during Clemson's game versus Miami. Photo By: Charles Mays/Tiger View Media

In a crucial ACC matchup, Boston College delivered a commanding performance to defeat Clemson 94-65. The Eagles' offensive efficiency and balanced scoring proved too much for the Tigers, who struggled to keep pace. With this victory, Boston College improved to 13-11 overall and 4-7 in ACC play, while Clemson fell to 11-11 overall and 4-7 in the conference. Let's dive into how the game played out.

Boston College showcased their offensive strength, shooting an impressive 57% from the field and 41% from beyond the arc. The Eagles had five players scoring in double digits, led by Teya Sidberry, who put up 20 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out four assists. T'yana Todd was also a standout, scoring 18 points and hitting 4 of her 5 three-point attempts. This balanced scoring attack proved too much for Clemson to handle.

On the other side, Clemson struggled to keep pace, shooting 39% from the field and 35% from three-point range. Tessa Miller was a bright spot for the Tigers, scoring a career-high 19 points and pulling down five rebounds. Hannah Kohn contributed 15 points, making 5 of her 9 three-point attempts, while Maddi Cluse added 12 points and five rebounds. However, Clemson's star player, Loyal McQueen, had a quiet game with just three points and four assists. Along with McQueen, Mia Moore also had a down game, only scoring six points and shooting 30% from the field. Whenever the duo of McQueen and Moore are shut down, Clemson tends to struggle in their performance. Luckily, the help from Miller, Kohn, and Cluse tried to make up for that, but it just wasn’t enough in this one against the Eagles. The Tigers also struggled with 21 personal fouls, which disrupted their rhythm and allowed Boston College to capitalize on these mistakes. 

Boston College's defense was equally impressive, applying relentless pressure that forced Clemson into making mistakes. The Eagles' ability to convert turnovers into points was a key factor in their dominant performance. Their cohesive team play and efficient ball movement kept Clemson's defense on its heels throughout the game.

Clemson's efforts to create a comeback were put on hold by Boston College's disciplined defense and effective rebounding. Despite the loss, the Tigers showed flashes of potential, particularly with the performances of Miller, Kohn, and Cluse. However, they will need to address their foul trouble and find ways to get their star player, Loyal McQueen, and also Mia Moore greatly involved with a tough schedule ahead with three straight ranked opponents next on Clemson’s tough ACC schedule.  

Looking ahead, Clemson will face No.10 Duke on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Fans can catch the game on ACC Network Extra. This upcoming game will be a crucial test for the Tigers as they seek to bounce back from this defeat and hopefully regain their momentum with the back end of the season coming up.