Mia Moore’s Second Half Surge Lifts Clemson Past Virginia in ACC Tournament

By: Raymond Forte

The Ally ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament continued Day 2 with a matchup between the Clemson Tigers women’s basketball and the Virginia Cavaliers women’s basketball at Gas South Arena. Both teams entered the tournament after finishing 11–7 in ACC play and were coming off strong regular-season finales. Clemson defeated the Boston College Eagles women’s basketball 71–63, while Virginia closed its season with a 69–61 victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies women’s basketball.

Clemson is led by forward Mia Moore, who averages 13.2 points per game, while Virginia relies on standout guard Kymora Johnson. The opening half unfolded as a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to establish offensive rhythm early.

Clemson had trouble protecting the basketball, committing five turnovers that Virginia converted into eight points. The Cavaliers, however, left opportunities at the free throw line, shooting just 33.3 percent and leaving valuable points on the floor.

Despite the early offensive struggles, both teams were active on the glass and began to find scoring opportunities as the half progressed. Johnson led Virginia with six first-half points, while Moore paced Clemson with seven. The Tigers shot 50 percent from the field, including timely three-pointers from Hannah Kohn and Taylor Johnson-Matthews, helping Clemson carry momentum late in the half and remain within striking distance heading into the break.

Clemson seized control in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter. The Tigers opened the final period with a 7–2 run, highlighted by a clutch three-pointer from Moore that extended Clemson’s lead to 50–41, its largest advantage of the game.

Virginia struggled offensively down the stretch, shooting 33.3 percent from the field in the fourth quarter as Clemson continued to build momentum.

Moore delivered a dominant second-half performance, scoring 19 points after being held to just two in the first half. She finished 7 for 8 from the field in the final two quarters, helping Clemson dramatically improve its offensive efficiency from 29 percent shooting in the first half to 63 percent in the second.

For Virginia, Paris Clark led the Cavaliers with 13 points, while Johnson added 12 in the loss.

With the victory, Clemson advances to the next round of the tournament, where the Tigers will face the Duke Blue Devils women’s basketball.