March Madness: McNeese State almost blows huge leads, but pulls off upset

McNeese’s upset about No. 5 Clemson was ended early … until it wasn’t.

AND 12. Cowboy seeds Clemson dominated for the vast majority of the game on Thursday, leading as many as 24 in the second half, but they only managed to break through with a 69-67 win.

Clemson could not find the bottom of the rims in the first half, and held on 13 points and 1-for-15 out of three. As for McNeese, they set 31 in the first 20 minutes, and about five minutes in the second half, they led 40-16.

Click here for more sports covering on foxnews.com

State striker McNese Bryant Selebangue (9) celebrates with Guard Quadir Copeland after defeating Clemson on Thursday. (Eric Canha-Imag image)

With 8:07 in the game, the triple flank of Brandon Murray gave McNeese a lead of 51-29, but give all the credit to the Tigers that they did not call it.

Since then, Mcneese has been cold and Clemson has warmed up. Clemson started a 38-18 race to close the game. McNeese even led 12 remaining from a minute, but Clemson knocked down four flat 3-pointer to make a three-point game with 12 seconds.

It is 10 seconds left, Javohn Garcis went to the line and made one of his two free throws, making him a four -point game. The three -story string ended, and the clock expired after laying down, turning what he eventually blew into an exciting thriller.

State striker McNeese Christian Shumate, 24, celebrates with Guard Quadir Copeland after Clemson’s defeat. (Eric Canha-Imag image)

Tensions are high during March games madness as the fan throws a bottle of water to the field

It was the first great anxiety of the tournament. No. 9 Creighton won the number 8 Louisville earlier during the day, but it is much easier to predict from 12 years over 5s.

McNeese earned his first victory in the tournament and the following faces no. 4 Purdue, who had knocked down the number 13 earlier that day, despite the latter that he had done interesting things in early departure.

McNeese made titles on Wednesday when reports were circulating that their main coach, Clemson Alum Will Wade, agreed to a contract Become the following main coach in NC State at the end of the season.

Wade acknowledged that he had talked to NC state officials earlier on Wednesday, noting that he was transparent with his players about a potential move.