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          Gardner leads Virginia's late rally to beat Clemson 75-65

          Jan 4, 2022
          • AP

          CLEMSON, S.C. -- — Jayden Gardner scored 23 points and Virginia pulled away in the final seven minutes to beat Clemson 75-65 on Tuesday night.

          Virginia, which has won three of its last four, avenged a 67-50 loss to the Tigers on Dec. 22 that ended an 11-game win streak in the series. The Cavaliers have won six straight against the Tigers in South Carolina.

          The Cavaliers closed on a 19-8 run. Gardner made six free throws during the stretch.

          Gardner shot 7 for 11 and 9 for 10 from the free-throw line. Armaan Franklin added 13 points for Virginia (9-5, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), which shot 54% (25 of 46) and made 21 of its 24 (87.5%) free throws.

          Hunter Tyson scored 15 points to lead Clemson (9-5, 1-2), which ended a four-game win streak. David Collins added 14 points, PJ Hall 13 points and Nick Honor 11.

          Virginia led by eight with 4:33 remaining in the first half before Clemson closed on an 11-2 run for a 37-36 halftime advantage. There were seven ties and five lead changes in the second half before the Cavaliers took the lead for good with 6:51 to go.

          Virginia concludes a three-game road swing at North Carolina on Saturday.

          Clemson plays at North Carolina State on Saturday.

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