Clemson Clamps Down on Cal to Cap West Coast Swing in Style
Clemson wrapped up its California road trip with a statement win on Wednesday night, cruising past Cal 77-55 in Berkeley. After narrowly escaping Stanford, the No. 20 Tigers left no doubt this time, putting together one of their most complete performances of the season - and extending a historic road streak in the process.
Balanced Attack, Big Results
Clemson didn’t lean on a single star to get it done. Instead, it was a full-team effort, the kind head coach Brad Brownell has been preaching all season.
Ace Buckner and RJ Godfrey led the way with 13 points apiece, while Carter Welling and Jake Wahlin chipped in 11 each. In total, four Tigers scored in double figures, and the offense hummed thanks to crisp ball movement and unselfish play.
“We’ve talked about it: the strength of our team is the team,” Brownell said postgame. “We’ve got guys who could play more minutes, but they’ve sacrificed for the way we want to play - and that’s with depth.”
That depth was on full display. Clemson had 16 assists on 26 made field goals and knocked down 12 three-pointers, with five different players connecting from deep. Wahlin hit three of them, including a pair in a first-half surge that broke the game open.
Defensive Dominance
As good as Clemson was offensively, the defense stole the show in the first half. Cal started hot, hitting four of its first seven shots and jumping out to a 13-9 lead.
But that early rhythm didn’t last. The Golden Bears went ice cold, making just 2 of their next 18 shots before halftime.
Clemson clamped down, contesting everything, rotating with precision, and forcing Cal into one tough look after another.
By the break, the Tigers had flipped a four-point deficit into a 19-point lead, 39-20 - fueled by a 30-7 run. Cal shot just 24% in the first half and never really recovered.
Clemson also owned the paint, finishing with a 5-0 edge in blocked shots and limiting Cal’s second-chance opportunities. The Tigers’ ability to switch, close out on shooters, and protect the rim was textbook.
Buckner Steps Up
One of the biggest moments of the game came early - and it didn’t involve a basket. Starting point guard Dillon Hunter picked up two quick fouls in the opening three minutes and was forced to sit most of the first half.
That could’ve been a problem. Instead, redshirt freshman Ace Buckner stepped up in a big way.
The son of Clemson legend Greg Buckner, Ace showed poise beyond his years. He attacked the rim to get to the free throw line, hitting 5 of 6 from the stripe in the first half, and added four assists, a steal, and a block before halftime. He was the steady hand Clemson needed when the game was still in the balance.
“He gets thrust into more minutes than maybe he would, but he’s ready,” Brownell said. “He’s been around it because of his dad. His maturity level is probably higher than most guys his age.”
Cal’s Second-Half Push Falls Short
To their credit, Cal came out swinging after halftime. The Bears hit 11 of their first 16 shots to cut the deficit to 15, showing signs of life. But every time Cal made a push, Clemson had an answer.
The Tigers responded with a 6-for-7 shooting stretch of their own, pushing the lead back to 24 and effectively shutting the door. It was the kind of composed, veteran response you expect from a team with championship aspirations.
A Historic Road Run
With the win, Clemson moved to 20-4 overall and 10-1 in the ACC, keeping pace atop the conference standings alongside Duke. The victory also marked Clemson’s 14th straight ACC road win - tying the 1962-64 Duke squads for the second-longest streak in conference history. Only the 1998-2001 Blue Devils have done better, with 24 straight.
That’s elite company, and it underscores just how tough and consistent this Clemson team has been away from home - a trait that bodes well come March.
What’s Next
The Tigers head back to South Carolina for a Feb. 11 matchup with Virginia Tech. The Hokies (16-8, 5-6 ACC) are coming off back-to-back conference losses, including an 82-73 defeat at NC State. It’s a key tune-up before Clemson’s looming showdown with Duke - a game that could decide first place in the ACC.
But for now, Clemson can enjoy the flight home. A 2-0 West Coast trip, a dominant defensive performance, and a milestone road win? That’s a business trip done right.