NEW ORLEANS — Top-ranked Clemson fell to No. 4 Alabama, 24-6, on Monday night in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Sugar Bowl. The Tigers finished the season with a 12-2 record, while the Crimson Tide improved to 12-1 and advanced to the national championship game for the third straight season.

Here is a look back at how Alabama earned the victory:

What happened?

The Tide jumped in front early, taking a lead they would never relinquish on a 24-yard field goal by Andy Pappanastos nine minutes and 37 seconds into the game. Alabama extended its advantage to 10-0 with 12 seconds left in the first frame thanks to a 12-yard touchdown toss from quarterback Jalen Hurts to wide receiver Calvin Ridley. The only positive development for Clemson in the first half was a 44-yard field goal by Alex Spence with 10 minutes left in the second quarter.

The second half started off the right way for Clemson. Linebacker Kendall Joseph forced and recovered a fumble by Hurts on Alabama’s first possession, a turnover that Clemson turned into three points on a 42-yard field goal by Spence. However, things quickly went downhill for the Tigers. On Clemson’s next possession, a pass from Bryant was picked off by Alabama defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne, and the Tide took over at the Tigers’ 27-yard line. Seven plays later, Alabama pushed its lead to 17-6 with a 1-yard pass from Hurts to Payne. The Tide then intercepted Bryant again on the next play from scrimmage. It was an 18-yard pick-six courtesy of Alabama linebacker Mack Wilson that gave Alabama a 24-6 lead with 5:27 to go in the third quarter.

What went right?

Spence was Clemson’s player of the game. The redshirt junior kicker from Florence, S.C., connected on field goals of 44 and 42 yards in the second and third quarters, respectively.

Joseph made one of the few big plays for Clemson in the game when he forced and recovered a Hurts fumble on Alabama’s first possession of the second half. Overall, the Tigers played well defensively, limiting Alabama to 261 yards of total offense. The unit was led by Joseph, who recorded 10 tackles including one tackle for loss.

What went wrong?

Alabama controlled the line of scrimmage from the start and field position as well as it lived on Clemson’s side of the field for most of the contest. The Tide’s average starting field position was their own 43 yard line, while the Tigers’ was their own 24.

Alabama stifled Clemson’s offense, holding the Tigers to 188 total yards, including just 64 rushing. Bryant had his worst game of the season as he went 18-of-36 passing for 124 yards while rushing for only 19 yards on 19 carries. It certainly wasn’t all Bryant’s fault, however, as he didn’t have much help from his offensive line or wide receivers. Clemson converted just eight of its 19 third-down attempts.

Game-changing moment?

The Tigers had all the momentum in the third quarter, having just kicked a field goal to cut their deficit to four points — and Bryant was beginning to develop a rhythm — when everything changed with one play. Tremayne Anchrum missed a block from his right tackle position, Bryant was hit by Alabama linebacker Anfernee Jennings as he let go of the ball and his pass was intercepted by Payne, who returned it 21 yards to Clemson’s 42-yard line. To make matters worse, Anchrum was flagged for a horse collar penalty, giving Alabama the ball at Clemson’s 27.

Alabama needed just seven plays, including a conversion on fourth-and-1, to score a touchdown and take a 17-6 lead at the 5:40 mark of the third period. Payne caught a 1-yard pass from Hurts that provided the gut punch Clemson was unable to overcome.

The Tide put the nail in the Tigers’ coffin on the ensuing possession when Wilson intercepted a Bryant pass and took it 18 yards to the end zone, giving his team a 24-6 lead with 5:27 remaining in the third.