If you were looking for a shootout at Littlejohn Coliseum today, you probably walked away a bit surprised. Or, if you’re a Clemson fan, maybe just really, really happy. The Clemson score today ended up being a decisive 69-59 victory over the Miami Hurricanes. Honestly, it wasn't even as close as that ten-point margin might suggest to someone just glancing at the box score.
Brad Brownell has this team playing a brand of basketball that feels sort of old-school but incredibly effective. They basically took the third-best scoring offense in the ACC and put them in a blender. Miami came into this game averaging over 88 points. Leaving South Carolina with only 59? That’s a statement.
How the Clemson Score Today Changed the ACC Standings
This wasn't just another January win. It was a massive collision between two of the last unbeatens in conference play. By securing the W, No. 22 Clemson moved to 6-0 in the ACC and 16-3 overall. That’s their ninth win in a row. You’ve gotta go back a long way to find a Tigers team that started conference play this hot—specifically the 2022-23 season.
The Hurricanes came in red-hot themselves, riding a ten-game winning streak. But the Tigers jumped out to an 8-0 lead and never really looked back.
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Breaking Down the Numbers
Carter Welling was the story of the afternoon. He dropped a season-high 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Watching him hit a three-pointer for the game’s first points really set the tone. It felt like every time Miami tried to make a little run, Welling or one of the other starters had an answer.
- Carter Welling: 18 points, 9 rebounds, and a couple of huge threes.
- Jestin Porter: 11 points and 3 steals.
- RJ Godfrey: 10 points and some tough interior defense.
- Dillon Hunter: 7 points but a career-high 7 assists and 4 steals.
The defense was the real MVP here. Clemson forced 16 turnovers and turned those into 14 points. They held Miami’s top two scorers, Malik Reneau and Tre Donaldson, to just 16 points combined. Usually, those two are good for nearly 40.
The Second Half Knockout
At halftime, it was 35-26. Miami sort of hung around, getting within five at one point in the first half. But Clemson opened the second half with a 17-12 run over the first ten minutes. Jake Wahlin provided a massive spark, including a dunk that probably still has the rims at Littlejohn rattling.
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The Tigers shot a blistering 65% in the second half. That's how you close out a game. They missed back-to-back shots only once in the entire second period. It was surgical.
Miami’s Shelton Henderson did what he could, finishing with 22 points, but he was essentially on an island. The Hurricanes shot just 38.9% from the floor as a team. You just aren't going to win many road games in the ACC shooting like that, especially against a team that’s protecting their home court as well as Clemson is right now.
What This Means for the Tigers
This win puts Clemson alone at the top of the ACC, at least for a few hours while Duke plays their game later tonight. It's the kind of performance that moves the needle for NCAA Tournament seeding. They aren't just winning; they're dominating the defensive side of the ball.
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The Tigers are currently 16-3 and haven't lost a game in over a month. They’ve won 24 of their last 26 ACC games dating back into last season. That’s a level of consistency we haven't seen in the program in a long time.
Looking Ahead at the Schedule
If you’re wondering where they go from here, the road doesn't get much easier, but they'll be doing it with a ton of momentum.
- NC State: Tuesday, Jan 20 at Littlejohn Coliseum.
- Georgia Tech: Saturday, Jan 24 in Atlanta.
- Pittsburgh: Saturday, Jan 31 back at home.
The NC State game is going to be another big one. The Wolfpack always play the Tigers tough, and with Clemson now sitting at 6-0 in the league, they’ve got a massive target on their backs.
The Clemson score today of 69-59 proves that this team can win with defense even when the shots aren't falling at a record pace in the first half. If they keep shooting 65% in the second half of games, though? They’re going to be almost impossible to beat at home.
To keep up with the Tigers' hot streak, you should keep an eye on the defensive efficiency metrics. While the scoring is great, their ability to hold high-powered offenses like Miami's to sub-60 points is what will determine how far they go in March. Make sure to check the tip-off time for Tuesday's game against NC State, as Littlejohn is expected to be another sellout.