TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — Iowa built a substantial first-half lead and withstood a fierce Clemson comeback to earn a 67-61 victory in a men’s NCAA Division I playoff game Friday at Amalie Arena.

The Hawkeyes, now 22-12, led 32-25 at halftime and extended their advantage before the Tigers mounted a second-half charge. Clemson outscored Iowa 36-35 after intermission but could never erase the early deficit. The loss ends Clemson’s season with a 24-11 record.

Iowa, which had been a slight pregame favorite, overcame a statistical projection that favored the Tigers. The game’s total points fell short of the over/under line.