Clemson continues picking up steam, downs Miami

Field Level Media|published: Wed 14th February, 21:26 2024

Jan 3, 2024; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Clemson Tigers guard Dillon Hunter (2) looks on against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half at Watsco Center. credits: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Chase Hunter scored a game-high 20 points to lead Clemson to a 77-60 win over visiting Miami on Wednesday night.

Joseph Girard III added 18 points for the Tigers (17-7, 7-6 Atlantic Coast Conference), while PJ Hall scored 13. Ian Schieffelin tallied five points and a team-high 11 rebounds for Clemson, which won its third straight game.

Norchad Omier led Miami (15-10, 6-8) with 18 points and 12 rebounds, followed by Kyshawn George's 13 points. Wooga Poplar scored 11 points for the Hurricanes, who dropped their third straight game in conference play.

After Clemson held a one-point lead at halftime, Omier's hook shot gave Miami the lead to start the second half.

Poplar's 3-pointer later gave Miami a 38-35 lead with 16:27 left in the game, but Clemson followed with a 9-0 run, capped with Josh Beadle's layup at the 14:04 mark.

From there, an 11-1 run gave the Hurricanes a four-point lead with 11:42 remaining.

After Matthew Cleveland's triple gave Miami a 54-48 edge — its largest lead of the second half — Clemson responded with a 17-3 outburst, stamped with three Girard free throws, putting the Tigers ahead 65-57 at the 4:04 mark.

Omier then answered with a three-point play, cutting the Miami deficit to 65-60. Those would be the last points of the night for the Hurricanes.

Clemson outscored Miami 12-0 after Omier's and-one, getting triples from Hall and Hunter at the end of the run.

The Tigers made 25 of 56 (44.6 percent) shots from the field to Miami's 22-for-59 (37.3 percent) showing.

In the first half, Miami got out to an early 8-2 lead on Poplar's 3-pointer at the 18:04 mark.

Clemson then responded with three straight triples, one each from Girard, Hall and Hunter, giving the Tigers an 11-8 advantage.

Another Hunter 3-pointer later in the period matched Clemson's largest first-half lead, putting the Tigers up 31-24 with 3:54 remaining.

Miami then finished the half with triples from Bensley Joseph and Poplar, cutting Clemson's lead to 31-30 by the break.

Clemson's win snapped a four-game skid against the Hurricanes.

—Field Level Media