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McNeese State Survives Clemson Comeback For First NCAA Tournament Win

The Cowboys jumped out to a massive lead early and held on.

Gavin Dorsey

Mar 20, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys forward Christian Shumate (24) dunks over Clemson Tigers center Viktor Lakhin (0) and guard Jaeden Zackery (11) during the second half at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Mar 20, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys forward Christian Shumate (24) dunks over Clemson Tigers center Viktor Lakhin (0) and guard Jaeden Zackery (11) during the second half at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images / Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The McNeese State Cowboys pulled off the first shocker of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on Thursday, upsetting No. 5 Clemson with a stifling first half to win, 69-67.

It's the first March Madness win in program history for the Cowboys, which have played in Division I for 53 seasons. McNeese State previously made it to the Big Dance in 1989, 2002 and 2024, but failed to make it past the Round of 64.

McNeese State jumped out to an early lead over Clemson, holding the No. 5 seed to just 13 first-half points. The Cowboys led by 18 at the break and their advantage grew to as much as 24. Clemson's 13 points at the half were the second-fewest by an ACC team in the NCAA Tournament ever, just three points ahead of 2001 Wake Forest's 10.

The Tigers came roaring back in the second half, cutting the deficit to as few as two points after a buzzer-beating layup. However, the Cowboys' lead was too much for Clemson to overcome and No. 12 McNeese State advanced to the Round of 32 for the first time ever. The Tigers, who scored 27 points in the first 30 minutes of the game, put up 40 over the game's final 10 minutes.

With the win, McNeese State will play No. 4 seed Purdue on Saturday with a trip to the Sweet 16 in Indianapolis on the line. The Boilermakers defeated No. 13 High Point, 75-63, earlier on Thursday.

Under head coach Will Wade, who is set to be hired by North Carolina State at the conclusion of the season, McNeese State has experienced its winningest two seasons in team history. The Cowboys were 30-4 in 2024 and are now 28-6 this season, earning the Southland Conference title both times.

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Gavin Dorsey
GAVIN DORSEY

Gavin Dorsey is the Lead Writer for Northwestern Wildcats On SI and covers a handful of other teams in the On SI network, including the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Guardians, Houston Texans and Ohio State Buckeyes. Before joining On SI in February 2025, he wrote for the Star Tribune and Inside NU while broadcasting college sports for both radio and television. Dorsey is a graduate of Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism, where he also studied psychology. In his free time, he enjoys running and being outdoors. Dorsey is currently a freelance writer for the Associated Press, covering Chicago area sports teams.

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