McNeese State Narrowly Escapes Clemson After Nearly Blowing 24-Point Lead in March Madness Shocker

McNeese State pulled off the first jaw-dropping upset of this year’s March Madness, stunning No. 5 Clemson with a heart-stopping 69-67 victory.

For much of the game, the 12th-seeded Cowboys seemed to have Clemson on ice. They built a massive 24-point lead early in the second half, holding the Tigers to just 13 first-half points and a dismal 1-for-15 shooting from beyond the arc. By the five-minute mark of the second half, McNeese was cruising with a 40-16 advantage.

But as basketball fans know, March Madness is where comfort leads disappear faster than you can say "Cinderella story." Clemson, refusing to fold, launched an electrifying comeback, going on a 38-18 run to finish the game. With just under a minute left, McNeese still held a 12-point cushion, but Clemson’s four consecutive three-pointers in the final seconds slashed the lead to just three. The Cowboys’ Javohn Garcis managed to sink a critical free throw to widen the gap to four, and time ran out before Clemson could capitalize further.

What began as a blowout ended as a nail-biter, leaving fans on both sides breathless. McNeese’s victory marked its first-ever win in the tournament, and it’s one they won’t soon forget. Next up for the Cowboys: a clash with No. 4 Purdue, who earlier fended off a feisty No. 13 High Point team to advance.

The drama wasn’t just on the court. McNeese head coach Will Wade, a Clemson alum, made headlines before the game with reports surfacing that he has agreed to take over as head coach at N.C. State after the tournament ends. Wade addressed the speculation, confirming he had been in talks with N.C. State officials but assured his players he’s fully committed to McNeese for now. Well, at least until the clock strikes "offseason."

For Clemson, this loss will sting. For McNeese, it’s a historic achievement—and yet another reminder of why March Madness is the most unpredictable, thrilling spectacle in sports.