Clemson puts its brand on the Mustangs with a strong defensive effort in a 74-70 win over 24th ranked SMU at Littlejohn Coliseum Wednesday night (AUDIO)

**RJ Godfrey puts back a rebound for two of his team high 17 points (Travis Bell/SIDELINE CAROLINA)**

Clemson 74-SMU 70 Game Summary

SMU was the ACC’s top scoring team at 91 points per game coming in, and had just put 97 up against North Carolina, and only a meaningless three at the buzzer prevented the Mustangs from their lowest output of the season.
Clemson never trailed in this one, and the last tie of the game was at 13-13 with 9:20 left in the first half. The Tigers went on a 12-0 run holding the Mustangs scoreless for 3:37, and they led 25-13 with 5:43 left in the half. SMU started 4 for 19 from the floor.
Both teams heated up down the stretch of the first half with SMU making four of its final five shots, and Clemson six for nine, including a pair of triples. The Tigers led at the break 34-25. That was the lowest scoring half of the season by SMU.
Freshman Chase Thompson was a spark in the first half for the Tigers. He subbed in at the 9:20 mark and proceeded to score all seven of his points over the next five minutes to lead the Tigers in scoring at halftime.
The Tigers hit eight of their first ten shots in the second half, including consecutive threes by Butta Johnson, followed by a three from RJ Godfrey, his first triple of the season. Meantime, the Mustangs went through an 0 for 9 stretch, and Clemson built the lead to 15 points at 62-47 with 7:05 to play.
The Mustangs did have a rally in them, however. They hit five in a row, including a pair of threes, and cut the lead to six, 67-61, with 3:56 left.
SMU cut the lead to four on a pair of free throws with 1:23 remaining, and after a missed three-pointer by Dillon Hunter, the Mustangs had a chance to get closer. But Boopie Miller missed a layup, and Jake Wahlin was fouled on the rebound. He made one of two for a five-point lead. Miller then missed a three, and Hunter was fouled on the rebound with nine seconds to play. He made both free throws to seal the victory.
Clemson finished at 43% from the floor, including 9-31 from three. SMU finished at 37% and was 6-17 from deep.
SMU was the ACC leader in fastbreak points per game at 16, but the Tigers limited the Mustangs to only four. They also forced 13 turnovers, and won in the paint 30-22.
Nine different Tigers scored, with Godfrey leading the way with 17 points. Miller led all scorers with 23.
Clemson is now 3-0 in the ACC and 13-3 overall. The Tigers will play at Notre Dame on Saturday.