Providence, R.I. – McNeese State Basketball delivered one of the most shocking upsets of the NCAA Tournament, defeating Clemson Basketball 69-67 on Thursday. This marked the first-ever tournament victory for the Cowboys, sending their school website crashing from the surge of fan excitement.
A Historic Moment for McNeese
The No. 12 seed McNeese State came out strong, building a commanding 31-13 halftime lead. Despite a fierce comeback attempt from the No. 5 seed Clemson, the Cowboys held on for a narrow win.
“It’s the biggest day in our school’s history,” said McNeese State president Dr. Wade Rousse. “We anticipated the excitement, but the website still crashed. It’s a wonderful problem to have.”
Will Wade’s Leadership Amid Career Transition
McNeese coach Will Wade is leading the team through this historic run while preparing to take over as NC State’s head coach. Despite the transition, his focus remains on the Cowboys’ success.
“We’ve broken every record in the book,” Wade said. “This was the last one to get.”
Key Performances and Game Highlights
- Christian Shumate led with 13 points and 11 rebounds, dominating both ends of the court.
- Clemson struggled against McNeese’s surprise 2-3 zone defense, shooting only 20.8% in the first half.
- The Tigers’ 13 first-half points nearly broke records for low scoring in the modern NCAA Tournament.
Gazing Ahead
Riding the wave of one of March Madness’ most memorable moments, McNeese State moves deeper in the tournament with this victory. Clemson, meantime, considers a lost chance as he leaves for home.
Source: ESPN
