Clemson was sweet.

Now it’s elite.

An unforgettable NCAA Tournament run continued Thursday night for the Tigers as they upset Arizona, 77-72, in a thrilling, back-and-forth Sweet 16 game in Los Angeles. With the win, Clemson advances to only the second Elite Eight in program history and first in 44 years.

The Tigers qualify for their first Elite Eight since 1980 and will play the winner of the UNC-Alabama game set to tip off later Thursday in Los Angeles.

Clemson started out scorching (again) and led by as many as 13 points in the first half, with six players scoring and four hitting a 3-pointer. Showing no signs of rust from a cross-country trip or one fewer day of rest than Arizona, the Tigers shot 53% from the field in the opening 20 minutes and hit five of their 11 3s.

Clemson was up 29-16 with 6:43 remaining in the first half. But Arizona narrowed the gap from there in front of a friendly crowd that was, by some estimates, about 80% Wildcats fans and got within seven points (39-31) at half.

And a furious 8-0 Wildcats run out of halftime sparked the crowd again as Arizona tied the game at 43-43 less than three minutes into the second half. Arizona took its first lead of the game moments later.

The teams traded buckets during a thrilling second half down to the final minutes before Clemson held on, sank late free throws and broke a few presses to clinch a historic win.

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