CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson University men’s basketball fell to Virginia Tech 76-66 on Wednesday night in Littlejohn Coliseum.
The Tigers (20-5, 10-2 ACC) were led by Carter Welling (Draper, Utah/Corner Canyon/Utah Valley) who scored a season-high 19 points and even returned after briefly exiting the game due to an ankle injury.
Nick Davidson (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mater Dei) and Ace Buckner (Dallas, Texas/La Lumiere School (Ind.) provided a huge spark off the bench and scored 32 of the Tigers’ 76 points. The Tigers’ bench totaled 35 points in total.
The Tigers worked to chip away at the Hokies’ lead in the second half, and with 8:10 remaining, Buckner hit a 3-pointer to bring Clemson back within five. However, the difference came from beyond the arc as Clemson surrendered 11 three-pointers, while making just five and finishing 11-for-18 from the free throw line. The Hokies converted all 13 attempts from the charity stripe.
The Tigers return to the court on Saturday, Feb. 14 when they travel to Duke to face the No. 4 Blue Devils at 12 p.m. on ESPN.
Notes: Clemson fell to 20-5 on the season and 10-2 in ACC play with the win … Clemson is now 94-35 overall since the 2022-23 season 53-19 in the ACC during that same time period … Carter Welling scored a season-high 19 points … it was Welling’s 16th double-digit scoring game … Welling also set a season-high with three blocks … Ace Buckner’s 16 point performance was his 10th double-digit scoring game … Nick Davidson produced his 12th double-digit scoring game with 16 points … Davidson has netted double-figures in four of his last five contests.
