Clemson ousts UVA in ACC women's tourney's second round

The Cavaliers still are considered likely to gain their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2018.

Mar. 6, 2026 at 3:28am

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Virginia's women hit an offensive drought Thursday and fell 63-50 to Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament's second round in Duluth, Georgia. Mia Moore scored 10 of her 19 points in the fourth quarter, and Taylor Johnson-Matthews finished with 10 points for the Tigers. The eighth-seeded Cavaliers (19-11) dropped their second game in a row, but most projections have them likely to receive their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2018.

Why it matters

Clemson reached 21 wins for the first time in 25 years and seems like a lock for their first NCAA berth since 2002, while Virginia is still considered likely to gain their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2018 despite the loss.

The details

Ninth-seeded Clemson (21-10) advances to play top-seeded and 13th-ranked Duke on Friday in a quarterfinal. Moore banked in a shot in traffic to extend Clemson's lead to 60-48 late in the fourth. She made all four of her shots in the fourth to help the Tigers shoot 85.7% in the frame. Clemson's lead did not drop below nine points in the final five minutes despite its 7-of-13 shooting from the free-throw line in the fourth. Virginia was just 5 of 15 from the field in the fourth.

  • The Cavaliers (19-11) dropped their second game in a row on Thursday.
  • The 68-team NCAA Tournament field isn't released until March 15.

The players

Mia Moore

Scored 10 of her 19 points in the fourth quarter for Clemson.

Taylor Johnson-Matthews

Finished with 10 points for Clemson.

Clemson

The ninth-seeded Tigers (21-10) reached 21 wins for the first time in 25 years and seem like a lock for their first NCAA berth since 2002.

Virginia

The eighth-seeded Cavaliers (19-11) dropped their second game in a row, but most projections have them likely to receive their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2018.

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The takeaway

This game highlights Clemson's impressive season and their likely return to the NCAA Tournament, while Virginia is still expected to end their NCAA Tournament drought despite the loss.