Moore’s 20 Points Lead Tigers, Clemson Stumbles Against Virginia

CLEMSON, S.C. (Clemson Athletics) – In a hard-fought battle at home, the Clemson Tigers (10-6, 3-1) fell short to the Virginia Cavaliers (10-6, 2-2), losing 67-60 despite a strong individual performance from junior guard Mia Moore. Moore, who has been a consistent contributor for the Tigers all season, put up a career-high 20 points in the game. She also made four three-pointers, which marked her personal best for threes made in a single game. Moore was efficient throughout the contest, shooting 8-for-15 from the field and 4-for-10 from beyond the arc.

The Tigers came out strong, showing off their shooting touch early in the game. They knocked down five three-pointers in the first quarter, with Moore contributing two, Hannah Kohn hitting two more, and Raven Thompson adding another. Kohn, who has been another key player for Clemson this season, scored 17 points in the game, marking the second-most points she has ever scored in a single contest. Kohn also had a solid all-around performance, contributing three assists, which set a new career high for her. With their strong shooting, Clemson managed to take a two-point lead into the second quarter.

However, the second quarter proved to be a turning point in the game. Virginia came out strong and scored 20 points in the period, pushing their lead to eight points by halftime. The Cavaliers’ ability to score in the second quarter was key to their eventual victory, as they took advantage of Clemson’s struggles to defend in the paint and maintain offensive rhythm. At the half, the Tigers were looking to regroup and find a way to close the gap in the second half.

Coming out of halftime, Clemson showed signs of life, outscoring Virginia 16-13 in the third quarter. The Tigers seemed to be on the verge of making a comeback, especially after they went on a brief 8-0 run early in the fourth quarter. During this stretch, Clemson’s defense tightened up, and their offense found some rhythm. However, the Cavaliers responded with a 12-0 scoring run of their own, which ultimately proved to be too much for the Tigers to overcome.

One of the bright spots for Clemson in the game was the bench play. The Tigers’ bench provided a significant boost, scoring 30 points compared to Virginia’s zero bench points. The depth of the Clemson bench has been a key factor for the team this season, and they showed their value once again in this matchup. Despite the strong bench play, the Tigers struggled to match Virginia’s overall offensive output, especially when it came to critical moments in the game.

Clemson also had the edge in three-point shooting, hitting 11 threes compared to Virginia’s seven. The Tigers’ ability to stretch the floor and hit long-range shots kept them in the game, but they couldn’t generate enough consistency with their shooting or their defense to close the gap. Their shooting, particularly from Moore and Kohn, kept the scoreline within reach, but they couldn’t overcome the Cavaliers’ resilience in key moments, including the decisive scoring runs in the second and fourth quarters.

In terms of individual performances, Moore’s 20-point effort was a standout, and it’s clear that her all-around scoring ability continues to develop. Her ability to knock down threes while also attacking the basket and facilitating offense for her teammates is a critical aspect of Clemson’s success this season. Despite the loss, Moore’s strong performance should be seen as a positive takeaway for the Tigers, as she has consistently been one of their best players and a major offensive contributor.

Raven Thompson, while not putting up big scoring numbers, was a factor in other areas of the game, grabbing six rebounds to help Clemson in their battle on the glass. Tessa Miller also contributed to the team’s effort, recording four assists, showing her playmaking ability and the team’s effort to distribute the ball.

Despite the loss, there were several notable individual accomplishments and positives for the Tigers in the game. Mia Moore’s career-high four three-pointers and 20-point performance were certainly a bright spot. Kohn’s scoring effort of 17 points and her new career-high in assists were also key contributions, as she continues to grow in her role on the team. The bench’s impressive 30-point performance also showed the depth of the Clemson squad, though they ultimately fell short due to the struggles to contain Virginia’s scoring runs.

For Virginia, the balanced scoring attack proved to be effective in securing the win. While the Cavaliers were led by solid individual efforts, it was their collective team performance, including key scoring runs in the second and fourth quarters, that allowed them to hold off the Tigers. Virginia’s ability to capitalize on their opportunities in those critical stretches of the game was the difference-maker.

Clemson will now look to regroup and use this loss as motivation for their upcoming matchups. The Tigers have shown that they are a capable and competitive team, with a lot of talent on both ends of the floor. However, in order to take their game to the next level, they will need to improve in certain areas, particularly in terms of consistency on both offense and defense. While the game against Virginia was disappointing, the Tigers have the ability to bounce back and continue competing at a high level in the ACC.

With several games remaining in their conference schedule, Clemson will need to focus on building off their strengths, particularly their shooting and bench depth, while also working to improve their defensive consistency. If they can find a way to eliminate stretches of poor play, particularly when the game is on the line, they have the potential to be a tough team to beat moving forward.

FINAL SCORE: Clemson 60, Virginia 67

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