By Ron Pitts for Urban Media Today
Head Coach Brad Brownell and the #22 Clemson Tigers (15-3), undefeated in the ACC, put up their 9-0 home record up against head coach Jai Lucas and the Miami Hurricanes (15-2). The Hurricanes are also undefeated in ACC play and 3-0 on the road. Something had to give in this matchup between two ACC powerhouses. You have two undefeated ACC streaks on the line, along with an undefeated home record for the Tigers and a road record for the Canes. The Tigers had extra motivation to win due to the game coinciding with their alumni weekend. The Tigers celebrated past Clemson men’s basketball players as far back as the 1950’s with over 100 previous players or representatives in attendance. Clemson also took time to honor the life of the program’s leading scorer Elden Campbell who tragically lost his life this past December 1st.
Jake Wahlin kicked the game off with a 3-pointer and Clemson never looked back. The Tigers went on from there with a solid lock down defense and got off to a 8-0 run to start the game. A timeout was called with 16:31 left in the first half.
Clemson Tigers put on a defensive clinic in the first half. They had a 35-26 lead at the half. Their stingy defense held The Hurricanes to 37% shooting and created 12 turnovers, which helped them take the largest lead of the game by 11 points.
The first half leading scorer for Clemson was Carter Welling with 10 points and Shelton Henderson with 12 points. C. Welling is also leading the Tigers with 7 rebounds, while the Canes first half rebound leader was Ernest Udeh Jr. with 8 boards.
In the second half, Clemson did not let up and continued their defensive stance against Miami. The Tigers grabbed their largest lead of the day by 15 points at the 11:38 mark in the second half at 50-35, forcing the Canes to call a timeout. The Canes tried to make a comeback and cut the lead to 9 points with 6:13 left in the game, but the Tigers pushed back with their defensive effort to push the lead back to 14 points with 3:39 left in the second half with a big 3-pointer from Dillon Hunter.
The Canes hoped of making the comeback with 0:46 seconds left when Tru Washington hit a layup bringing their deficit to 9 points, however that was put to sleep by the Tigers Dillon Hunter key steal with 32 seconds left in the game.
After the game Dillon Hunter shared how this team is a tight knit group. Even though they
are from different parts of the country; they spend a lot of time together on and off the court, which helps them on game day.
Carter Welling spoke on teammate Dillon Hunter, saying “ [He] does a good job of creating the culture here at Clemson since he is one of the key returners to the team”.
Coach Brownell spoke highly of his team’s defensive intensity, “[We’re] excited to play Miami after watching them on tape.” He attributed and appreciated the 9,000 fans in attendance cheering the Tigers on to help push them.
Miami Head coach Jai Lucas commented that his team needed a game like this as they head into ACC play. He also complimented coach Brad Brownell and his team’s high level of play, saying “It doesn’t help that we had 16 turnovers to a team that already plays tough as a unit.”
Clemson’s next game is against NC State Wolfpack on January 20th at home and Miami welcomes the Florida State Seminoles also January 20th.
Clemson Leaders:
Points: Carter Welling, 18
Rebounds: Carter Welling, 9
Steals: Dillion Hunter, 4
Assist: Dillon Hunter, 7
