NCAA Tournament clock error cancels Clemson's winning shot, leads to overtime loss

Clemson lost to USC after a clock error erased their winning shot. This is a heartbreaking end to their NCAA Tournament run.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

Regulation Ruined by Timing Fumble

Clemson’s potential game-winning shot, a dramatic three-pointer by Mia Moore, was nullified after officials determined the clock had not started correctly, thereby invalidating the play. The score was tied at 61 with 4.4 seconds remaining when Moore released the ball. Upon review, it was found that the game clock began several ticks after the inbound pass, meaning Moore’s shot did not beat the buzzer as initially believed. This review, which involved a stopwatch, not just the game clock, ultimately negated the buzzer-beater and sent the game into overtime.

The critical detail: The game clock did not start immediately upon the inbound pass, an error discovered during review, leading to the disallowance of Moore's shot and forcing overtime.

The decision left the No. 8 seeded Clemson team in a state of disbelief and heartbreak. Coach Shawn Poppie expressed his astonishment, stating he was unaware a stopwatch was being used to clock the play independently. The subsequent overtime period saw Clemson falter, making only one of their six attempts, and ultimately losing the game to Southern California (USC).

Read More: Philadelphia Flyers Beat New York Islanders 4-1 on April 3 2026

A Rivalry Renewed, A Moment Lost

The matchup itself held added narrative weight, pitting Mia Moore against USC's Dunn, a former rival whose competitive history dates back to their youth in the Atlanta area. The two athletes played together in AAU circuits and competed against each other through middle and high school. This reunion on the national stage was overshadowed by the controversial clock malfunction, a moment that denied Clemson a significant NCAA Tournament victory.

Poppie initially believed the review was solely to determine if Moore had released the shot before the buzzer. He acknowledged the emotional whiplash of thinking they had secured a win, only to have it reversed due to the timing error. The incident wiped away what could have been a defining "March Madness" moment for Clemson, a program that has not seen much postseason success in recent decades.

Read More: Dallas Rookie Cooper Flagg Scores 51 Points, Coaches Ejected in Friday Loss

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was Mia Moore's game-winning shot canceled in the NCAA Tournament on April 1, 2024?
Mia Moore's shot was canceled because the game clock did not start correctly when the ball was inbounded. Officials used a stopwatch to find the clock started late, meaning the shot did not beat the buzzer as first thought.
Q: What happened after Clemson's winning shot was canceled?
The game went into overtime tied at 61. Clemson only made one of six shots in overtime and lost the game to Southern California (USC).
Q: What did Clemson's coach say about the clock error?
Coach Shawn Poppie was surprised by the decision. He did not know a stopwatch was being used to check the clock timing separately from the game clock.
Q: Who played in the game where the clock error happened?
The game was between Clemson and Southern California (USC). Mia Moore of Clemson played against USC's Dunn, who she has a long-time rivalry with.
Q: How did the clock error affect Clemson's chance in the NCAA Tournament?
The error took away a potential winning moment for Clemson in the NCAA Tournament. This loss ended their tournament run after a controversial call.