Chapel Hill, North Carolina — On Tuesday night, Clemson University men’s basketball won 80-76 over No. 3 North Carolina, leading from start to finish. The victory was the program’s second-ever road victory over the Tar Heels, as well as the highest-ranked opponent Clemson has defeated on its home court since Jan. 21, 1976. An 82-77 victory over No. 2 Maryland.
The Tigers (15-7, 5-6 ACC) were led by PJ Hall (Spartanburg, South Carolina/Dorman), who had 25 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Hall finished with four three-pointers. Joseph Girard III (Glens Falls, N.Y./Glens Falls) scored 21 points, including five three-pointers. He contributed six rebounds and three assists.
Ian Schieffelin (Loganville, Ga./Grayson) recorded his sixth double-double of the season and eighth of his career with 14 points and 11 rebounds. The ACC Most Improved Player candidate went 5-for-7 from the field. Chase Hunter (Atlanta, Ga./Westlake) had a team-high five assists to go along with seven points.
Clemson surged out to a 17-4 lead in the first quarter and extended it to a game-high 16 points towards the end of the first half, 41-25. Clemson led North Carolina by nine at halftime and held them at bay for the majority of the night, but the Tar Heels rallied.
With 8:57 left in the game, the Tar Heels used a 16-7 run to tie the game at 70-70 with little over four minutes remaining.
Clemson answered with a 7-0 run, which appeared to put the game out of reach. RJ Davis’ last-second three-pointer cut the seven-point deficit to four, and Clemson won 80-76.
The Tigers finished with 14 assists and only five turnovers in the contest.
Clemson returns to the court on Saturday, Feb. 10, when it heads north to Syracuse. ESPN2’s tip time is 12 p.m.
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