PJ Hall (29 points), Clemson cruise past Alcorn State

Field Level Media|published: Fri 24th November, 22:24 2023

Clemson Head Coach Brad Brownell during the second half at Littlejohn Coliseum Friday, December 2, 2022. Clemson Basketball Vs Wake Forest University Acc Syndication The Greenville News credits: Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK

PJ Hall recorded a career-high 29 points to go along with nine rebounds on Friday, lifting host Clemson to a 90-69 victory over Alcorn State.

Hall made 11 of 18 shots from the floor to notch his 16th straight double-digit scoring performance dating back to last season. His point total on Friday eclipsed his previous career high of 28, set in the Tigers' 83-73 loss to Louisville on Feb. 18, 2023.

Chase Hunter contributed 18 points and seven assists for Clemson (5-0), which shot 48.6 percent from the floor (34 of 70) and 37.9 percent from 3-point range (11 of 29).

Joe Girard III joined Hunter with three 3-pointers and finished with 13 points for his third straight strong performance. He made five 3-pointers in the Tigers' 68-65 win over Davidson on Nov. 12 and added a season-high 23 points in an 85-68 victory over Boise State last Sunday.

Alcorn State's Jeremiah Gambrell sank three 3-pointers and finished with 17 points. Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt scored 13 points and Dekedran Thorn and Djahi Binet each added 12 for the Braves (1-7), who dropped their sixth straight game despite shooting 50.0 percent from the floor (26 of 52).

Binet made a layup and Gabrell added a jumper to bring Alcorn State within six at 38-32 with 2:40 to play in the first half. Girard answered with a four-point play and a 3-pointer on consecutive possessions as Clemson scored 10 of the final 15 points to take a 48-37 lead at intermission.

Hunter converted a three-point play and Hall sank a straight-away 3-pointer to begin the second half. Thorn briefly halted the momentum with a jumper and a 3-pointer, however Hall followed with a layup, a jumper and a 3-pointer.

Alcorn State pulled within 13 after a pair of free throws by Binet before Hall calmly sank a jumper and Ian Schieffelin added a dunk to boost the Tigers' lead to 70-53 with 9:57 left.

Hall set a career-high point total after making a layup with 3:18 remaining in the second half to give Clemson an 86-65 advantage.

—Field Level Media