Clemson Falls Short Against No. 17 North Carolina, 67-63

Tigers' comeback bid falls short in Chapel Hill

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Clemson came up short in their bid to upset No. 17 North Carolina, falling 67-63 in Chapel Hill. The Tigers led for much of the game but couldn't overcome a late North Carolina surge fueled by freshman guard Luka Bogavac's 3-point shooting. Clemson's RJ Godfrey had a career-high 22 points, but the Tigers struggled from 3-point range and couldn't capitalize on their advantage in the paint late.

Why it matters

The loss eliminates Clemson from contention for a double-bye in the ACC Tournament, making their path to the postseason more difficult. It also highlights the Tigers' inconsistency, as they were dominant in stretches but couldn't sustain their execution down the stretch against a ranked opponent on the road.

The details

Clemson led 55-53 with 5:38 remaining, but went scoreless for over 3 minutes as North Carolina went on an 8-0 run to take control. Freshman Luka Bogavac hit three straight 3-pointers to spark the Tar Heels' comeback, finishing with a career-high 20 points. Clemson's Dillon Hunter had a chance to tie it in the final seconds but missed a contested layup and tip-in attempt.

  • Clemson led 55-53 with 5:38 remaining in the game.
  • North Carolina went on an 8-0 run over the next 3:36 to take a 61-55 lead.

The players

RJ Godfrey

Clemson forward who scored a career-high 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting with 9 rebounds.

Luka Bogavac

North Carolina freshman guard who scored a career-high 20 points, including three straight 3-pointers that sparked the Tar Heels' comeback.

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The takeaway

Clemson showed it can compete with a ranked opponent on the road, but ultimately couldn't sustain its execution in the final minutes. The loss puts the Tigers' postseason hopes in jeopardy, underscoring the need for more consistent play down the stretch if they hope to secure a favorable seed in the ACC Tournament.