Did Clemson Tigers' Fourth Quarter Stumble Cost Them Against Virginia Tech Hokies?

First Quarter

The Clemson Tigers faced off against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum, resulting in a narrow 71-68 victory for the home team. The game began with both teams displaying strong defensive efforts. The Hokies managed to edge out the Tigers in the first quarter, scoring 17 points to Clemson's 13. Despite this early deficit, the Tigers showed resilience with Mia Moore contributing significantly on offense.

Second Quarter

In the second quarter, Clemson found their rhythm and outscored Virginia Tech by a margin of 26-16. This surge was fueled by Raven Thompson's impressive shooting accuracy, as she hit key shots that helped shift momentum in favor of the Tigers. By halftime, Clemson had taken a slight lead thanks to their improved offensive execution and solid defense.

Third Quarter

The third quarter saw both teams battling fiercely for control. The Tigers maintained their lead with consistent scoring from Taylor Johnson-Matthews who added crucial points during this period. However, Virginia Tech kept pace with effective plays from their backcourt duo and managed to stay within striking distance as they entered into the final quarter.

Fourth Quarter

As tensions rose in the fourth quarter, it was Virginia Tech who ultimately seized control of the game. They capitalized on several turnovers by Clemson and executed well-timed fast breaks that resulted in easy baskets. Despite Demeara Hinds' efforts on defense for Clemson, which included multiple rebounds and assists throughout her playtime, it wasn't enough to stop Virginia Tech's late-game push.

The final moments were marked by intense exchanges but ultimately saw Virginia Tech securing victory after outscoring Clemson 22-9 in this decisive period.

Clemson coach post-game reaction highlighted areas needing improvement such as reducing turnovers which plagued them especially during critical stretches against an aggressive opponent like Virginia Tech.

For fans looking ahead: mark your calendars! The next challenge awaits when 'Tigers' travel again; they'll face Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purcell Pavilion on January 25th at 3:00 PM EDT – catch all action live via ACC Network Extra!

Stay tuned for more updates including post-game report Clemson Tigers analysis or share your thoughts about this exciting matchup!