Tigers Down No. 2 Duke 77-71

CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson University men’s basketball engineers 7-0 run over the final 38 seconds to down No. 2 Duke 77-71 on Saturday night in Littlejohn Coliseum. The win was Clemson’s highest ranked victory since February 18, 2001 (76-65 vs. No. 1 North Carolina).

The win was Clemson’s 14th win at home over a Top 25 ranked Duke team and the highest ranked win over Duke since Jan. 9, 1980. It was also the Tigers’ fifth-straight win over an AP Top 5 opponent while unranked – the longest active streak in the country.

The Tigers (19-5, 11-2 ACC) constructed a 19-6 run over nine minutes in the second half to take a 56-49 lead – its largest of the game. The Blue Devils managed a run to regain the lead twice, but a 7-0 run over the final 38 seconds sealed the win for Clemson.

A game after only managing 15 minutes and fouling out, Viktor Lakhin (Anapa, Russia/CSKA-2/Cincinnati) was a plus-16 in 27 minutes with 22 points, four rebounds and three blocked shots. 

Dillon Hunter (Atlanta, Ga./Westlake), hit a huge 3-pointer with the score tied 67-67 and 1:46 remaining in regulation. 

His brother, Chase Hunter (Atlanta, Ga./Westlake) finished with 14 points with crucial free throws down the stretch. Hunter also provided the block of the season with 14 seconds left to help clinch the win.

Clemson finished the game shooting 58.8 percent from the floor, including a staggering 63.4 percent on 2-point field goals (26-41). 

Ian Schieffelin (Atlanta, Ga./Grayson) netted his ninth double-double of the season and 21st of his career with 12 points and 10 rebounds. It was his 30th double-digit rebounding effort of his career. Christian Reeves (Charlotte, N.C./Oak Hill Academy (Va.)/Duke) provided a huge first half against his former team, providing five points and two offensive rebounds.

The Tigers will return to the floor on a short turnaround against North Carolina on Monday, Feb. 10. Tip time is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ESPN.