Hunter scored 19 of his 23 points in the second half, including nine in a 1:48 span in the final 3:28 to help give the Tigers a chance to advance, but …..

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – ​​Chase Hunter (Atlanta, Ga./Westlake) led a frantic comeback for No. 10/10 Clemson University Men’s Basketball, who cut a 15-point deficit with 3:13 to play down to just two in a 2:23 span, but second-seeded Louisville (27-6) held on for a 76-73 win in the T. Rowe Price ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament Semifinal at the Spectrum Center. The Tigers (27-6) will look ahead to the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Selection Show at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Hunter scored 19 of his 23 points in the second half, including nine in a 1:48 span in the final 3:28 to help give the Tigers a chance to advance, but had his contested layup attempt with six seconds left blocked, and a desperation heave fall wide at the buzzer.

No. 13 Louisville (27-6) will take on top-seeded Duke in the Championship game in the Spectrum Center on Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

Ian Schieffelin (Atlanta, Ga./Grayson) had 14 points and 12 rebounds, Viktor Lakhin (Anapa, Russia/CSKA-2/Cincinnati) added 14 points and seven rebounds, and Jaeden Zackery (Salem, Wis./Westosha Central/Boston College) added 11 points and five steals in the game.

Facing a 69-54 deficit with 3:28 to play, Clemson’s offense came to life as Chauncey Wiggins (Grayson, Ga./Grayson) hit a jumper. Clemson would cut the lead to 70-61 with 2:11 to play behind Zackery and Hunter. Clemson still trailed, 75-66 with 1:18 to play when Hunter drilled a three-pointer, and moments later Zackery was fouled after a steal, and hit both free throws. Hunter hit a layup to cut the deficit to 75-73 with 54 seconds left.

After a Louisville shot clock violation, Clemson got the ball back and called timeout. Hunter drove and attempted to finish through contact, but his shot was blocked. Louisville corralled the rebound and hit one-of-two from the line, and Hunter’s heave missed, ending the game.

In the first half, The Tigers jumped out to an early 17-10 lead eight minutes into the contest, going largely inside, scoring 24 of its 28 first-half points in the paint. Louisville scored eight in a row to take the lead back and the margin stayed within three points for the next eight minutes, including four lead changes. Louisville was able to hit a jumper inside a minute to give the Cardinals their largest lead of the half, 33-28.