No. 18 Clemson makes history by winning its 11th ACC game in final home game of the season

CLEMSON -- In a late-night packed Littlejohn Coliseum, the stars crossed into alignment for Clemson’s senior class in their final home game in a Clemson uniform.

Clemson was trying to make program history by winning its 11th ACC game of the season and avenge giving up an 18-point lead to the Seminoles in Tallahassee the last time the two teams met.

Tonight, the Tigers achieved both of their goals.

Behind impressive performances all around, No. 18 Clemson defeated Florida State 76-63 to move to 22-7 on the year.

The Tigers were led by Marcquise Reed’s game-high 22 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Shelton Mitchell, Elijah Thomas, and senior Gabe DeVoe also ended up in double-figures. Florida State’s Phil Cofer scored a team-high 21 points.

Nine different Clemson players scored in the 13-point win.

Florida State shot 42 percent from the field while Clemson shot 40 percent (23-of-57). Clemson also outshot Florida State from the free-throw line by making 20 of their 26 attempts

The biggest stat of the night was Clemson out-rebounded a significantly taller Florida State team 39-30, 12 of them being offensive rebounds.

Clemson ended the game on a 12-2 run over the game’s final 2:23 to pull away. DeVoe got to exit his last home game in no better way imaginable: to a standing ovation from his home fans with seconds remaining.

“Terrific end to our season here in Littlejohn. I couldn’t be more proud of my guys,” Brad Brownell said after the win. “Super happy for our seniors. I thought our guys played well, made some big-time shots down the stretch and rebounded it well.”

Florida State’s defensive intensity gave Clemson plenty of problems two weeks ago. The full-court traps and double-teams caught the Tigers off guard in Tallahassee.

This time around, Clemson kept its composure as Florida State’s length and athleticism on defense looked even more stifling in person. Two weeks ago, Clemson turned the ball over 21 times.

Tonight, Clemson only turned the ball over nine times and won the turnover margin. The Tigers are now 15-0 in games where they win the turnover margin. Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton noticed something different about Clemson offensively this time.

“They were poised, especially in the second half,” Hamilton said. “In the first half, I think we went up nine or ten points, and like a mature team would do, they regrouped themselves… That says a lot about a team who has a group of guys who are a little bit older, mature and don’t get rattled. They are connected as a team.”

An early 10-0 Florida State run gave the Seminoles a 19-12 lead, but Clemson was able to respond with a run of their own. A 21-13 run to end the first half was capped off by a Mitchell three-pointer to give Clemson a 35-32 lead at the half.

It was a back-and-forth game from there. Both teams were fighting in another physical ACC battle royale. Clemson never folded or gave an inch when the Seminoles kept it close.

Down the stretch, it was Reed, once again, who took over.

Reed scored nine points in the last 4:25, including two consecutive possessions where he made two tough shots over the defense. Mitchell’s three-pointer with 1:31 left gave Clemson its tenth of the game and 68-61 lead it would not let slip away this time.

“It’s a role that I have accepted,” Reed said when he was asked about his mentality as the team’s closer. “My teammates and coaching staff believe in me. I just try to bring that leadership."

Clemson fans got to see 15 victories at home this season, something that has only happened six times in school history. Not bad for a team picked to finish 13th in their league and lose their best player.

But 11 ACC wins in conference games is rare air for this Clemson program. It’s something Brownell will reflect on long after this season is over, especially given preseason expectations.

“It’s something the players will remember for a long time,” Brownell said. “Hopefully, it’s a record that will be broken again. It’s not some insurmountable record, but it’s significant for Clemson basketball. We don’t have as much tradition as some other places, so there is obviously an opportunity there to continue to build it. That’s what this team has done.

“In light of our best player getting hurt 19 games in, for these guys to continue playing the way they have and continue to not only win some games, but play with the kind of spirit, togetherness, and heart has just been unbelievably fun to be around.”

Clemson’s season is not done yet. The Tigers travel to Syracuse on Saturday to try and build on their latest record.

With the ACC tournament and an NCAA tournament in sight, this team is feeling pretty good right now in what has been a rollercoaster of a season.

“This year has been special for us,” DeVoe simply added. “It’s been a year all about us.”