Clemson defeats SMU 74-70
Clemson Edges Out SMU in Thrilling 74-70 Victory at Home
In a back-and-forth battle, the Clemson Tigers outlasted their visitors, the SMU Mustangs, 74-70 on Tuesday night at Littlejohn Coliseum. The Tigers' home crowd watched as their team executed its game plan to perfection, capitalizing on opportunities when it mattered most.
The first half set the tone for a closely contested affair, with Clemson leading by just nine points (34-25) at halftime. However, the Mustangs refused to back down, using their potent three-point shooting to pull within four points as the clock ticked down in the second half.
But Clemson's offense proved too much to overcome, as RJ Godfrey led the way with 17 points on an efficient 85.7% shooting night from the field, including one three-pointer. Jake Wahlin chipped in with eight rebounds and seven points off the bench, while Dillon Hunter added four assists and ten points of his own.
Meanwhile, SMU's Boopie Miller kept pace for the Mustangs, scoring 23 points but struggling to find his range behind the arc (2-7). Samet Yigitoglu was a force on the glass with eleven rebounds and fourteen points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Clemson's balanced attack.
In terms of overall team statistics, both squads struggled from beyond the arc, with Clemson making just nine three-pointers on 29.0% efficiency and SMU hitting six shots from deep at 35.0%. However, the Tigers' ability to control the boards gave them an edge in the paint, with twenty-two defensive rebounds to SMU's twelve.
The final margin of victory was a testament to Clemson's poise under pressure, as they outlasted their foes by four points despite being on the road. The win marked a significant conference triumph for the Tigers and sets the stage for what promises to be another intense season in the ACC.
Advanced Statistics
Clemson:
- eFG%: 50.9%
- FT Rate: 42.9%
- OREB%: 33.3%
- TO Ratio: 13.6%
- True Shooting%: 55.6%
SMU:
- eFG%: 43.1%
- FT Rate: 56.9%
- OREB%: 32.4%
- TO Ratio: 19.7%
- True Shooting%: 54.9%
This tightly contested matchup will be remembered for its dramatic finish, and Clemson's ability to outlast SMU on their home floor was the difference-maker.