Louisville F Ray Spalding runs down-court in Louisville's ACC Opener against Pittsburgh on January 2nd, 2017. Photo by Seth Spalding, River City Cards
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cards handed 1st acc loss of season by no. 25 tigers

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It may have been a better performance than their last road game, but the Louisville Cardinals were defeated by No. 25 Clemson, 74-69, in overtime. Despite this, both Ray Spalding and Deng Adel had a double-double each, and the team shot _ percent from the field. 
If it wasn't for Clemson's poor shooting, this game would've not been as close. The Cards committed 21 turnovers. But the Tigers shot 36.2 percent, and were 7 for 24 from three. 

The first half was largely even. Both teams went on small runs, and Clemson had a six-point lead with 4:51 left. Then, Spalding tipped it in, Deng Adel made a jump shot, Spalding made a layup, and VJ King made a basket. With two minutes left, Louisville had a two-point lead. But, with a minute left, Clemson tied the game, 23-all, to close out the first. Spalding was the hero of the half, with eight points, and five rebounds. Overall, the team shot 40.7 percent, made one of six three-pointers, and had 21 boards. If it wasn't for Clemson shooting worse than Louisville, the Tigers would have had the easy lead. Louisville turned the ball over 11 times. 

Drama ensued in the second half. Clemson had an eight-point lead with under ten minutes left, but Louisville made a slow comeback. Then, with just under four minutes left, Louisville went on an 8-0 run, to take a two-point lead with just over two minutes left in regulation. Clemson's Elijah Thomas made a basket with 1:41 left, to tie the game. Quentin Snider missed a buzzer-beating three, and the game went to overtime. Statistically, Adel was the best of the half. He had 12 points and four rebounds. He led the team to shoot 50 percent, making 11 of 22. 

Louisville couldn't keep up in the first overtime. The Cards were down four when Spalding made Louisville's first overtime basket. Then, Clemson shot two threes in a row. It was an eight-point game, with 1:51 left. Louisville's only hope was to foul, and get the rebound. It worked to an extent. Ryan McMahon made a couple threes, and brought the deficit to four. Louisville lost by five. 

The Cards move to 11-4 this season. They're now 1-1 in the ACC. The road trip continues next Wednesday, January 10th, when Louisville takes on Florida State in Tallahassee, at 9pm.