BYU Cougars Make History In Comeback Win Over Clemson At Jimmy V Classic
In a game that will be seared into the memories of both fanbases, Clemson snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, collapsing spectacularly against a relentless BYU team. At Madison Square Garden, the so-called “World’s Most Famous Arena,” the Tigers put on a masterclass for one half, only to follow it up with a disappearing act that would make Houdini blush. The final score read 67-64, but that number doesn’t even begin to tell the story of this basketball tragedy.
Let’s be honest, at halftime, this game was over. Clemson was up by 21 points, cruising with a 43-22 lead. They closed the half on a blistering 21-0 run that had the BYU bench looking like they’d seen a ghost. Jestin Porter was channeling his inner Steph Curry, draining threes and looking unstoppable. It felt like a coronation, not a competition. Fans were probably already drafting their victory tweets.
And then, the second half started.
How Did BYU Steal This Game?
Whatever Coach Kevin Young said to his BYU squad in the locker room should be bottled and sold. They came out breathing fire, unleashing a 12-1 run that cut the lead down before Clemson even knew what hit them. The Tigers, who looked like the ’96 Bulls in the first half, suddenly couldn’t buy a bucket. They went colder than a polar bear’s toenails, shooting a laughable 26% from the floor in the second half.
You could feel the panic setting in. Open looks clanked off the rim. Passes went astray. The once-mighty lead evaporated like a puddle in the desert. BYU, smelling blood in the water, just kept coming. Freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa decided to take over, dropping 22 of his 28 points in the second half and single-handedly dragging his team back into the fight.
A Finish For the Ages
Despite the monumental collapse, Clemson somehow found a pulse in the final minute. Dillon Hunter tied the game at 64-64 with a clutch jumper, giving the few remaining optimistic Tigers fans a sliver of hope with just 5.5 seconds on the clock. It seemed like they might just escape with their lives and force overtime.
But this wasn’t a fairy tale. With 1.4 seconds left, BYU’s Robert Wright III got the ball, took a breath, and launched a three-pointer that seemed to hang in the air for an eternity. Swish. Buzzer. Ballgame. The BYU bench exploded, while a stunned Clemson side could only watch, hands on their heads, as the biggest second-half comeback in BYU history became a reality.
It was a gut punch of epic proportions for Brad Brownell’s team. They showed just how good they can be, and in the same game, just how fragile it all is. For BYU, it’s a season-defining win. For Clemson, it’s a scar that won’t heal anytime soon. That is the brutal, beautiful chaos of college basketball.
