Recap by Justin Mathis
NC State 80 — Clemson 76 (OT) — Game Summary
Littlejohn Coliseum — Clemson, SC: The 18th-ranked team in the nation, Clemson, welcomed the North Carolina State Wolfpack – led by Tiger alumnus Will Wade – into town for a much anticipated show.
• Tigers started off six of nine from the field, Wolfpack five for nine. Clemson made three of its’ first four shots from the arc, while NC State was two for five. That added up to a 15-14 Tiger lead.
• At the under-8 timeout in the first half, Clemson had missed six of their last seven shots from the floor, triggering a 3:20 scoring drought. In turn, NC State surged ahead 26-21.
• With 3:59 left in the first half, the Wolfpack stretched their lead to 33-23 by way of a 12-2 run over a 4:26 span. At that point, Clemson was 9 for 20 from the deck.
• Clemson sliced the deficit to 38-33 at the intermission with help from a Carter Welling right-handed jam and Ace Buckner triple, closing the half with an 8-2 burst.
• The Tigers made it a 46-43 game early in the second stanza as Dillon Hunter and Jestin Porter each drained a three-pointer, pulling Clemson up to 50 percent shooting from the field (15 for 30).
• Efrem “Butta” Johnson canned a pair of three-pointers that kept Clemson within a 55-51 margin at the under-12 timeout.
• A 7-0 burst put Clemson ahead 69-67 with 1:12 to play – a Hunter triple, two Welling free throws, and a Godfrey basket at the rim.
• NC State’s Darrion Williams hit two free throws that tied at 69 with one minute left, sending it to overtime.
• After a Godfrey basket and Welling free throw to begin the extra frame, the Tigers got stuck in a 2:02 scoring drought until Godfrey went 1-2 at the charity stripe.
• Clemson went without another field goal until the final buzzer, as Welling hit a short jump shot.
• Tonight marked Godfrey’s eighth straight game scoring in double figures.
Next game for Clemson – at Georgia Tech on 1/24, 12 PM
NC State 13-6 (4-2 ACC)
Clemson 16-4 (6-1 ACC)