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Clemson Coach Says Tigers Had Game ‘Taken From Us’ With Late Controversy vs. Duke

Brad Brownell was irate after a late call cost the Tigers a chance to win.

Tom Dierberger

Clemson Coach Says Tigers Had Game ‘Taken From Us’ With Late Controversy vs. Duke
Clemson Coach Says Tigers Had Game ‘Taken From Us’ With Late Controversy vs. Duke /
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The Clemson Tigers were inching toward an upset on the road against the No. 12 Duke Blue Devils.

With seven seconds left, the Tigers led by one point. But Duke guard Tyrese Proctor drove into the lane, put up a shot and was fouled by Clemson guard Josh Beadle with only one second remaining. 

Proctor nailed both free throws to secure the 72–71 win for Duke.

Clemson coach Brad Brownell, who has never beaten the Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium, did not agree with the whistle.

“We lost by two the last time I was here,” Brownell said postgame. “We had the lead with two minutes to go. I’ve been here in this same situation about four times, within a possession, and I haven’t won one yet.

“Tonight was just the closest we got. We got to one second and got it taken from us. Thank you. Bye.”

Brownell also went on the Tigers’ radio broadcast after the game and called a first-half technical on forward Jack Clark “ridiculous.” Clark was assessed the tech after grabbing the ball after a made basket and shoving it into the arms of a Duke player.

The ACC rivals won’t meet again in the regular season. Clemson returns to the floor Tuesday against Louisville, while Duke visits Virginia Tech on Monday.

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Tom Dierberger
TOM DIERBERGER

Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.

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