Clemson upsets Arizona, advances to second Elite Eight in program history

For the first time in 44 years, Clemson Men's Basketball is headed to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.

The six-seed Tigers took down two-seed Arizona 77-72 Thursday night in Los Angeles , California marking the highest seed Clemson has ever beaten in March Madness.

The Tigers took control of the game out of the gate, leading by as many as 13 in the opening half before the Wildcats shrank the gap to 39-31 at halftime.

Arizona would continue to close in to start the second half as an 8-0 run in less than a minute tied the game up at 43-43 with 16:33 left in the game.

From there, the Tigers would move back in front as Arizona depended on free throws to stay within striking distance.

A seven minute drought without a basket by the Wildcats allowed Clemson to go up 65-58 with seven minutes left.

Arizona, however, would close it back to a one possession game with under three minutes left as Clemson went more than five minutes without a field goal.

But the Wildcats would fail to pull it even again before the final buzzer as the Tigers held off Arizona to secure the upset.

With the win, Clemson advances to its first Elite Eight since 1980 where the Tigers will face the winner of one-seed North Carolina and four-seed Alabama on Saturday.