CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson University men’s basketball completed its preseason slate with a 2-0 record with an 84-70 win over Presbyterian on Wednesday night in Littlejohn Coliseum.
The Tigers were led by Ace Buckner (Dallas, Texas/La Lumiere School (Ind.)) and Dylan Faulkner (Calhoun, Ga./Calhoun) who scored 21 and 20 points, respectively. Faulkner added eight rebounds and five blocked shots, while Buckner totaled five assists.
The five blocked shots for Faulkner would have tied a career high.
Cole Certa (Le Roy, Ill./IMG Academy) would have set his career-best with seven assists against the Blue Hose. He’s totaled two on seven occasions in his career.
In addition to Faulkner, David Fuchs (Vienna, Austria) filled the stat sheet in the post with 12 points and nine rebounds.
Clemson got off to a lightning-fast start in the opening stanza, jumping out to a 15-2 lead in the first four minutes. The Blue Hose fought their way back into the game in the first half and trailed by just two at 27-25, but the Tigers would finish the period on a 17-5 run and lead 44-30 at the break.
The Tigers held the Blue Hose at bay for much of the second half, maintaining a healthy double-digit lead and would win 84-70.
Clemson finished with 15 assists on 29 made baskets and added six blocked shots and four steals. The Tigers finished 20-for-29 at the foul line, while the Blue Hose went to the line 31 times and made 25 at the charity stripe.
Clemson will host Stetson for its season opener on Monday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. in Littlejohn Coliseum. The game will be streamed on ACCNX.
