Clemson’s woes in close games continued on Saturday as the Tigers let a late lead slip away at Littlejohn Coliseum in a 76-74 loss to No. 19 Florida State.
The lead changed 10 times in the second half on Saturday, but when Clemson (14-14, 4-12 ACC) desperately needed a basket, one was not to be found. The Tigers were held scoreless over the last 2:03 and missed their last four shots from the floor.
Xavier Rathan-Mayes led Florida State (23-6, 11-5 ACC) with 15 points and seven assists and came up big down the stretch. After a 10-2 run late gave Clemson a 74-71 lead, Rathan-Mayes cut the deficit back to one with two free throws with 1:45 left. Rathan-Mayes put FSU ahead for good one possession later as the redshirt junior took three Clemson players to the basket with 1:17 to play, making it 75-74.
Clemson’s Shelton Mitchell then missed consecutive shots that would have given the Tigers the lead. Mitchell’s drive to the basket with about 10 seconds to play was blocked by FSU’s Jonathan Isaac, allowing Trent Forrest to grab the FSU rebound. After Forrest split a pair of free throws, Marcquise Reed got a decent look at a mid-range jumper that may have forced overtime, but it fell short and time expired during a scramble for the loose ball.
The win gives the Seminoles the first season sweep over Clemson since the 2012-13 season. The loss for Clemson is its 12th in ACC play and the eighth decided by five points or fewer.
Both teams shot about 45 percent from the field. Clemson’s Jaron Blossomgame led all scorers with 24 points on an ultra-efficient 7-for-11 shooting and a perfect 9-for-9 from the foul line. Mitchell scored 15 points in the loss while Sidy Djitte finished with 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds before fouling out. Reed also scored in double-figures with 10 points on just 3-for-10 shooting, but did lead the Tigers with four assists.
In addition to Rathan-Mayes, Isaac scored 14 points for FSU. Dwayne Bacon scored 12 points, but on a dreadful 3-for-14 shooting. Bacon missed his final nine shots.
Florida State will remain on the road to play its final regular season away game on Tuesday as it heads to Durham to face No. 10 Duke. Clemson will look halt a 3-game skid as it hosts North Carolina State on Wednesday.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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