Clemson uses strong second half to dispatch Florida A&M

Chase Hunter scored 16 points and Ian Schieffelin grabbed 15 rebounds to lead host Clemson to an 86-58 victory over Florida A&M on Friday night at Clemson, S.C.

The Tigers (7-1) picked up their fourth consecutive victory as they broke open a close game nearly five minutes into the second half. The Rattlers (1-5) lost for the fifth time this season to a Power Four conference opponent by 24 or more points.

Milton Matthews led Florida A&M with 14 points and Roderick Coffee III had 13 points, six assists and five rebounds. Jordan Chatman had 11 points and Shaqir O'Neal had 10.

For a half, it appeared the Rattlers would finally be able to contend against one of those power conference opponents.

Clemson led 38-32 at halftime and shot a poor 2 for 13 from 3-point range in the first half.

But the Tigers opened the second half making three of their first seven triples. Eventually, Clemson put together a 20-5 run over a span of nine minutes to open a 67-41 lead with 6:16 left in the second half.

Hunter was one of four Tigers to score in double figures as Clemson shot 50 percent from the field despite its struggles from long distance. The Tigers compensated for their poor 3-point shooting with excellent shooting from the foul line (17 for 20), set up by attacking the rim and taking advantage of 16 Florida A&M turnovers.

Hunter led the Tigers with three steals while Viktor Lakhin, Schieffelin and Jaeden Zackery each had two.

Chauncey Wiggins totaled 15 points for the Tigers while Zackery had 13 points, four assists and three rebounds. Lakhin had 12 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Clemson enters a tough stretch next as it hosts No. 8 Kentucky on Tuesday night before traveling to Miami on Saturday afternoon. Florida A&M will host Presbyterian next on Tuesday night.

--Field Level Media