CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — RJ Godfrey scored 17 points and Clemson held down No. 24 SMU in a 74-70 victory Wednesday night.
The Tigers (13-3) have started 3-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference for a second consecutive season. And they did it by corralling one of the highest-scoring teams in the country most of the way.
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SMU (12-3, 1-1) came in averaging 91.5 points per game — tops in the ACC and 14th nationally — but couldn’t crack Clemson’s defense until late in the game.
The Mustangs cut a 15-point deficit to 71-67 on Boopie Miller’s free throws with 1:23 left. SMU had a chance to get closer, but Miller missed a short jumper. Jake Wahlin got the rebound for Clemson and made a foul shot with 22.5 seconds to play.
Moments later, Dillon Hunter hit two foul shots to extend the lead to 74-67 with less than 10 seconds remaining.
Miller led all scorers with 23 points. Samet Yigitoglu had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Mustangs.
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SMU entered the AP Top 25 this week for the first time since the end of the 2016-17 season. Maybe the higher profile rattled the Mustangs early against Clemson as they managed just 25 points over the first 20 minutes.
The Tigers used a 17-4 run midway through the first half to gain control. Carter Welling started the run with a three-point play and added a jam four minutes later to push the lead to 25-13. Chase Thompson closed the surge with a 3-pointer.
Godfrey made six of seven field goals and added six rebounds. Hunter finished with 10 points.
Only a 3 at the buzzer by Jaron Pierre Jr. prevented SMU from setting a season low for points.
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Up next
SMU visits No. 6 Duke on Saturday.
Clemson plays at Notre Dame on Saturday night.
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