ATLANTA: Clemson buzzed past Georgia Tech 70-59 Tuesday night in McCamish Pavillion with defensive prowess across both halves. The Tigers held the Yellow Jackets to 35% shooting, their second poorest shooting night of the season.
Clemson led wire-to-wire after jumping out to an 8-0 lead and holding Tech scoreless for the first 7:18 of the game. The Jackets missed their first ten shots of the game. Tech did get to within a point at 19-18 with 6:35 left in the first half.
The Tigers, however, capped off the first half on a 16-7 run with Chase Hunter and Jaeden Zackery each scoring five points during that stretch. . Clemson led 36-25 at the half.
The Tigers kept the game in hand in the second half, holding a double digit lead most of the way, until Georgia Tech went on a 9-0 run to cut the lead to 59-50 with two minutes remaining. But Hunter drove past his man, kicked the ball to Ian Schieffelin, and he canned a wing three to sink the hearts of Jacket fans.
Zackery led all scorers with a season-high 21 points. Schieffelin added 16 points and a team high seven rebounds despite playing with a bad calf and back. And Hunter posted a 14-point, three assist game.
The Yellow Jackets were led by Baye Ndongo, who recorded a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds on the court.
The Tigers have won six of their last eight games against Georgia Tech including back-to-back wins at McCamish Pavillion. Clemson (14-4, 6-1) moved to 2-3 on the road this season. The Tigers will stay on the road this Saturday when they play at Pitt.
Story by Brooks Thomason
Brad Brownell postgame
Final Stats
