Clemson defeats Notre Dame 61-76
Clemson Edges Notre Dame 76-61 in Conference Showdown
In a tightly contested conference matchup, Clemson (AWAY) emerged victorious at Notre Dame's Purcell Pavilion on Monday night, taking down the Fighting Irish 76-61.
The away team's win marked a significant triumph for Clemson, as they improved their chances in the conference standings. The game was a nail-biter from start to finish, with both teams trading baskets and displaying impressive defensive prowess.
At halftime, Clemson led by just one point (34-39), but the away team's relentless offense and stout defense proved too much for Notre Dame to handle in the second half. By the final whistle, Clemson had built a 15-point lead, cementing their victory.
The game was a three-point shooting battle, with both teams struggling from beyond the arc early on. However, as the contest wore on, Clemson's Jestin Porter began to find his rhythm, scoring 26 points and connecting on 7 of 13 three-point attempts (53.8%). His efforts were complemented by Dillon Hunter, who chipped in 7 rebounds and 7 points.
Notre Dame's Jalen Haralson led the Fighting Irish with 18 points, but they struggled to contain Porter's scoring threat. Carson Towt, Notre Dame's top rebounder, had a strong game as well, grabbing 10 boards and contributing 9 points.
The key differentiator in the game came down to Clemson's ability to outlast Notre Dame on the glass. The away team outrebounded their hosts by one (31-30), which allowed them to control tempo and limit Notre Dame's fast break opportunities.
In a game that was expected to be a high-scoring affair, both teams ultimately settled for more efficient shooting percentages. Clemson shot 47.0% from the field, while Notre Dame managed just 43.0%.
Despite their loss, Notre Dame remains in contention for conference supremacy, and this defeat should not be seen as a major setback. Meanwhile, Clemson's win has catapulted them into the mix for conference honors.
The matchup will be remembered for its defensive intensity and back-and-forth action, with both teams displaying a commitment to slowing down their opponents. The victory marks an important step forward for Clemson in their pursuit of a conference title.