Playing for its NCAA Tournament life, Clemson rode a hot shooting start to a big first-half lead and hung on in the second half for a 62-48 victory over Pittsburgh on Wednesday night at the Peterson Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.
The Tigers made seven of their first 10 shots from 3-point range, led by as many as 21 points in the opening period and took a 38-16 lead into the locker room at halftime. However, the Panthers wouldn’t go away quietly.
Following six straight points by Clemson forward David Skara that gave the Tigers a 26-point lead — their largest of the game — at the 17:31 mark of the second half, Pittsburgh proceeded to go on a 20-4 run and cut its deficit to 10 points on a pair of free throws by Pendleton native Trey McGowens with 8:14 left in the second half.