Tevin Mack leads a Clemson fastbreak during Saturday’s win over NC State (Melina Alberti/Clemson University Athletic Communications)
Clemson closed out 2019 by blowing a 10 point lead at home against Miami eventually losing in overtime to fall to 0-3 in ACC. A new year, however, brought a new day for the Tigers. They led wire to wire in knocking off NC State 81-70 at Littlejohn Coliseum Saturday afternoon. The Tigers snapped a 3 game losing streak to the Wolfpack and improved to 7-7 overall, 1-3 in the ACC. State fell to 10-4 and 1-2. It was a crucial win for the Tigers considering their next two games are at North Carolina and at home to Duke.
Some key notes on Clemson’s win over NC State
Clemson built a 14 point first half lead hitting seven three-pointers in the first 15 minutes of the game. They would make just two more the rest of the way.
Down 34-20, State finished the half with a 15-7 run to close within 6 at intermission.
The margin stayed in single digits for most of the second half. The Wolfpack got to within one point twice, the last time with 11:55 to play. Clemson responded with jumpers from John Newman and Curran Scott to go up 57-52. State missed nine straight shots and only some free throws kept the ?Wolfpack close at 61-58. The Tigers scored the next seven points to lead 68-58 with 3:35 to play and State would get no closer than 6 points the rest of the way.
Clemson coach Brad Brownell said they put in a few new wrinkles for this game, including a slip-screen, that allowed the Tigers to get good shots in the paint. The finished with 36 points in the paint.
Aamir Simms led five Clemson players in double figures with 16 points. The Tigers had 18 assists on their 23 made field goals.
