Clemson Wins 13th Straight Lid Lifter With 68-47 Win Against Radford
CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson women's basketball (1-0) topped Radford (0-1), 68-47, in their 2026-27 season opener. The Tigers earned their 13th straight season opening victory in Littlejohn Coliseum on Monday afternoon.
Clemson was powered by a trio of standout performances from junior guard Mackenzie Nelson (16 points, three assists, two steals, and two rebounds in Clemson debut), sophomore guard Taliyah Henderson (15 points, six rebounds, two steals, and one assist in her debut for the Tigers), and sophomore guard Holland Harris (11 points, two rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block).
The Highlanders were led by Kailyn Fields and Angelina Nice with 12 points apiece.
HOW THE GAME WAS DECIDED
The Tigers utilized a 13-point unanswered scoring run towards the end of the third quarter, which built a 12-point lead for Clemson, 47-35, with one minute remaining. In the fourth and final frame, CU's lead ballooned to as high as 21 points en route to a Clemson victory.
NOTABLE NUMBERS
- Clemson has won 13 straight lid lifters, dating back to the 2014-15 season.
- Clemson improved its record in season openers to 39-13.
- Head Coach Shawn Poppie remains undefeated (5-0) in season openers as a head coach.
- The Tigers captured their 9th straight win against the Highlanders. Clemson remains undefeated against Radford in the series, 9-0.
- Graduate guard Mia Moore (9 points) started her 89th career game, and Henderson earned her first career start.
- Eight new Tigers made their debut: junior forward Edie Clarke, Nelson, Henderson, senior forward Yakiya Milton, senior forward Jenna Lawrence, freshman forward Kimora Fields, freshman guard Meeyah Green, and freshman guard Julia Scott.
- All three freshmen scored their first collegiate points: Green (3 points), Fields (2 points), and Scott (2 points).
UP NEXT
Clemson welcomes ETSU to Littlejohn Coliseum on Thursday, Nov. 5. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m., and the game will air live on ACCNX and the Clemson Athletic Radio Network.
