GREENVILLE, S.C. (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of fortune and a stark deviation from pregame projections, the Clemson Lady Tigers mounted a dominant fourth-quarter surge to defeat the North Carolina State Wolfpack 75 to 65 in an Atlantic Coast Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Bi-Lo Center.

The victory, secured before an announced crowd of 861, improved Clemson’s record to 12-5 overall. North Carolina State, which entered the contest as a heavy favorite with an 89.8% win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, fell to 11-5.

The game’s narrative fractured decisively in the final period. North Carolina State, which had weathered Clemson runs to hold a 57-52 lead entering the fourth quarter, saw its offense evaporate under intense defensive pressure. The Wolfpack managed only eight points in the quarter, missing 11 of their 13 field goal attempts and committing four critical turnovers.

Conversely, Clemson found its rhythm at both ends. The Lady Tigers erupted for 23 points in the final frame, capitalizing on North Carolina State’s miscues and executing efficiently in the half-court. A pivotal sequence began with just under eight minutes remaining when Rachael Rose of Scranton, Pennsylvania, drained a 3-pointer to tie the game at 55. On the ensuing possession, Taylor Johnson-Matthews of Cleveland, Ohio, connected from beyond the arc to give Clemson a lead it would not relinquish.

The Lady Tigers’ closing 20-10 run over the final seven minutes sealed the outcome, a stretch defined by their ability to convert North Carolina State’s seven total second-half turnovers into 16 decisive points off turnovers for the game.

For three quarters, the contest followed a tense, back-and-forth pattern dictated by North Carolina State’s interior presence and Clemson’s perimeter resilience. The Wolfpack’s Tilda Trygger, a 6-foot-6 sophomore from Stockholm, Sweden, controlled the paint early, winning the opening tip and setting an aggressive tone. She finished with 19 points, 2 blocks and a game-high 4 offensive rebounds. Her frontcourt partner, Khamil Pierre of Phoenix, Arizona, added 17 points.

Their efforts helped North Carolina State build an early advantage, leading 21-17 after one quarter and 37-39 at halftime despite Clemson’s 22-point second quarter. The Wolfpack’s offense, which shot just 41.3% from the floor for the game and a frigid 21.1% from 3-point range, was propped up by its work inside, scoring 36 points in the paint.

Clemson, however, showcased superior balance and shot-making. Rose led all scorers with 19 points, including three 3-pointers, and was instrumental in the fourth-quarter rally. Raven Thompson of Atlanta, Georgia, provided a steadying hand with 14 points and 4 assists, while Johnson-Matthews added 13 points off the bench. Rusne Augustinaite of Siauliai, Lithuania, contributed 11 points.

The statistical ledger underscored Clemson’s efficient victory. Despite having three fewer possessions, the Lady Tigers outshot North Carolina State 48.4% to 41.3% from the field and were more effective from deep, hitting 8 of 24 attempts compared to the Wolfpack’s 4 of 19. Clemson also committed only seven turnovers, leading to a plus-three margin that proved crucial.

North Carolina State’s Zoe Brooks of Plainfield, New Jersey, filled the stat sheet with 15 points, 6 assists and a block, but the Wolfpack’s offensive rating of 94.5 paled in comparison to Clemson’s mark of 113.2, highlighting the disparity in execution down the stretch.

The result marks a significant conference win for Clemson as it looks ahead to a road test at Georgia Tech on Sunday. North Carolina State, which had won five of its last six games, including a 74-46 rout of Stanford on New Year’s Day, must regroup quickly before hosting SMU on Sunday. The Wolfpack’s inability to sustain its early momentum and close out a game it led for long stretches will be a primary concern moving forward into the heart of the ACC schedule.