CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson University men’s basketball opened the 2025-26 season with a dominant 88-38 wire-to-wire victory over New Hampshire on Monday night in Littlejohn Coliseum.
The 38 points allowed were the fewest allowed by Clemson in a season opener since Dec. 11, 1946 when it beat Erskine 58-30.
The Tigers (1-0) were led by redshirt freshman Ace Buckner (Dallas, Texas/La Lumiere School (Ind.)) who finished with 18 points, three rebounds, two assists and one blocked shot. Buckner outscored his father, Greg Buckner (1994-98), who posted 10 points, nine assists and five rebounds in his debut on Nov. 29, 1994 against Charleston Southern.
Buckner finished an efficient 6-for-7 from the floor, including 6-for-7 from the free throw line. RJ Godfrey (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett/Georgia) nearly totaled his third career double-double, finishing with nine points and nine rebounds.
Jake Wahlin (Provo, Utah/Timpview/Utah) added 11 points and four rebounds, while Jestin Porter (Houston, Texas/Cypress Ridge/Middle Tennessee State) recorded eight points and added five rebounds and three assists. Carter Welling (Draper, Utah/Corner Canyon/Utah Valley) rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10.
Clemson closed the first half on a 15-2 run over the last 6:16 of the opening stanza and led New Hampshire by 27 at the break, 43-16.
In all, 12 players saw action for Clemson in the opener and 11 found the scoring column. The Tigers outrebounded the Wildcats 45-30 and found their way to the free throw line 41 times.
Clemson returns to action at Littlejohn Coliseum on Friday, Nov. 7 when it hosts Gardner-Webb at 7 p.m. on ACCN.
Notes: Clemson improves to 1-0 on the season and earned its first win as a program against New Hampshire … the Tigers improved to 15-1 in season openers under Head Coach Brad Brownell … the Tigers are 40-1 in their last 41 season openers dating back to 1985-86 … Clemson is now 3-0 all-time against members of the America East Conference … Brownell won his 293rd game at Clemson and 460th overall in his career … Brownell defeated his 147th uniquely different opponent … Ace Buckner scored 18 points in his debut (eight more than his father, Greg Buckner, in his debut in 1994) … 12 different players saw the court on Monday and 11 played double-digit minutes … Clemson attempted 41 free throw attempts – the most since 44 against Louisville on Jan. 10, 2016 … the 38 points allowed were the fewest allowed in a season opener since a 58-30 win over Erskine on Dec. 11, 1946.
