Baylor vs. Clemson score, highlights: Tigers pull off 2024 March Madness upset

Throw the seedings out the window. Despite being the sixth seed in the matchup against No. 3 Baylor, the Clemson Tigers looked like the better team throughout Sunday’s second matchup at FedExForum.

Clemson led the entire game and slowed down one of the NCAA’s top offenses in a 72-64 upset in the West Regional of the NCAA Tournament.

The Tigers (23-11) led by as many as 15 points. They managed the early foul trouble woes of All-ACC forward PJ Hall by having players like guard Chase Hunter step up. Hunter led the Tigers with 20 points.

Baylor (24-11) didn’t look like the team that had been one of the NCAA’s top offenses for most of the night. After a strong offensive start, the Bears finished the first half with two made baskets in the last 10 minutes.

The Bears made one last charge late in the game. A 9-0 run got Baylor within six points, and the Bears later cut the deficit to two with 2:19 left in the second half.

Baylor went to the free-throw line with two shots and 36.2 seconds left, but freshman guard Ja’Kobe Walter missed both attempts. Clemson made both of its free throws to put the game out of reach.

Hall fouled out late in the second half. The Tigers are now 4-3 in games where Hall fouls out.

Clemson will move on to face No. 2 seed Arizona in Los Angeles on Thursday or Friday.

Here is how Sunday’s NCAA Tournament matchup played out.

Baylor vs Clemson live score updates in NCAA second round

Here come the Baylor Bears

Don't count Baylor out just yet. The Bears are on a 9-0 run and now trail 61-55 with 3:56 remaining in the second half. Momentum has flipped in favor of the No. 3 seed, but Clemson has answered each time the Bears have come charging. This is the biggest Bears run of the day.

Baylor in danger territory vs Clemson

If Baylor wasn't worried earlier, now is officially panic time. The Bears are down 61-46 with 6:40 left in the second half against Clemson. The Tigers have led the entire game, and the 15-point lead is their largest of the day.

Baylor showing signs of life, but Clemson not letting up

Baylor and Clemson have been pretty much evenly played in the second half, and that's a major advantage to the Tigers. Baylor has been down as much as 13. The Bears followed that stretch with a mini run, but Clemson stretched the lead back out to 11. Clemson leads 57-46 with 7:43 left in the second half. Baylor's 3-point shooting struggles have continued, and that's something it will need to avoid an upset. Baylor is shooting 5-or-18 on 3-pointers.

Baylor offense searching for rhythm

Baylor has had one of the NCAA's best offenses all season, but the Bears are struggling against Clemson's size and physicality. Baylor trails 46-34 with 14:10 left in the second half. The Bears have nine turnovers while shooting 36%. They were one of the best 3-point shooting teams this season, but Clemson is holding Baylor to 4-for-11 shooting from deep.

Clemson takes control vs Baylor in first half

Halftime: Clemson 35, Baylor 25

No. 3 seed Baylor is off to a slow start against the sixth-seeded Clemson Tigers. Baylor's offense started strong but couldn't maintain its pace. While Baylor slowed down, Clemson kept its foot on the gas. The Tigers are shooting 52% while holding Baylor to 33% shooting. Baylor guard and projected lottery pick Ja'Kobe Walter leads the Bears with 10 points. Clemson got a buzzer-beater from guard Chase Hunter to end the half. He leads all scorers with 11 points. The Tigers have put themselves in position to pull off the upset.

Clemson star in foul trouble

Clemson star forward PJ Hall picked up his second foul in the first half with 6:16 left. The Tigers are leading Baylor 25-20, but missing the first-team All-ACC is a major blow. He will likely sit for the remainder of the first half to avoid a third foul. Clemson is 3-3 when Hall has fouled out this season.

Hall's running mate, Ian Schieffelin also picked up his second foul with a little more than four minutes left in the first half. Baylor has a chance to make a run without Clemson's top two forwards on the floor.

Clemson-Baylor showcasing high-level offense

The first eight minutes have been strong offense from Clemson and Baylor. Clemson leads 17-14 with 11:32 left in the first half. Clemson is shooting 56% and Baylor is at 52%. Baylor's defense has given Clemson multiple looks, but it hasn't found answers yet. Whichever defense finds a counter first could shift the game.

Clemson's Ian Scheiffelin gets the game going

Clemson forward Ian Scheiffelin has been everywhere at the start. The Tigers have taken a 7-5 lead with 15:50 left in the first half. Scheiffelin has scored or assisted on all seven Clemson points.

What channel is Baylor vs. Clemson today? How to watch, stream live

• TV channel: TNT

• Stream: NCAA March Madness Live app | Sling TV (subscribe today)

Baylor will tip off vs. Clemson on TNT. Streaming options include the NCAA March Madness Live app and Sling TV . Announcers for the game are Spero Dedes (play-by-play), Jim Spanarkel (analyst) and Jon Rothstein (sideline).

Baylor vs. Clemson start time, TV info, location

• Start time: 5:10 p.m. CT

• TV info: TNT

• Location: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee

Baylor vs Clemson preview

Baylor: The Bears have one of the nation's five most efficient offenses and two potential one-and-done prospects that are expected to be first-round NBA draft picks this year in Walter and big man Yves Missi. Their wealth of athleticism and shooting make this a dark horse Final Four contender.

Clemson: The Tigers are a bit of a throwback in the NCAA tournament bracket with a deep inside presence manned by veterans P.J. Hall and Ian Schieffelin, but Chase Hunter's 21-point, six-assist performance Friday was an even better side. Along with sharpshooting Syracuse transfer Joe Girard, the Tigers are at their best when their backcourt is firing on all cylinders.

Baylor vs Clemson odds, betting line, spread

Odds according to BetMGM

• Spread: Baylor (-4.5)

• Over/under: 144.5

• Moneyline: Baylor (-210), Clemson (+170)

Baylor vs Clemson prediction, game picks

Baylor 80, Clemson 74: Clemson's bigs will give Baylor problems, but the Bears combination of shooting and athleticism will eventually wear out and subdue the Tigers.

Baylor vs Clemson injury updates

Baylor: Yves Missi (back), probable; Langston Love (ankle), questionable

Clemson: None

Baylor vs Clemson stats

Baylor

• PPG: 80.9

• PPG allowed: 71.1

• FG%: 48.6

• 3PT%: 39.4

• KenPom ranking: 14

Clemson

• PPG: 77.4

• PPG allowed: 70.8

• FG%: 46.7

• 3PT%: 35.3

• KenPom ranking: 25

Baylor vs Clemson championship odds

Odds according to BetMGM:

BAYLOR: +3000

CLEMSON: +12,500

Baylor basketball schedule 2023-24

Below is the last five games of Baylor's 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here

Clemson basketball schedule 2023-24

Below is the last five games of Clemson's 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: 6th-seeded Tigers pull off 2024 March Madness upset vs No. 3 Baylor