Clemson Bounces Back in a Big Way, Downs Georgia Tech 77-63 Behind Balanced Attack
After suffering their first ACC loss of the season, Clemson didn’t waste any time getting back on track. The No. 18 Tigers went into Atlanta and handled Georgia Tech with authority, pulling away for a 77-63 win that showcased just how deep and dangerous this team can be when it's clicking.
This wasn’t just a bounce-back win - it was Clemson’s 12th straight ACC road victory, a streak that now spans multiple seasons and speaks volumes about the Tigers’ ability to travel well in one of the toughest conferences in college basketball.
Balanced Offense Leads the Way
What stood out most on the stat sheet? Balance.
Clemson didn’t lean on one or two scorers to carry the load. Instead, seven different players chipped in at least eight points, with transfers Jake Wahlin and Nick Davidson each dropping 13, and guards Ace Buckner and Dillon Hunter adding 12 apiece.
That kind of distribution is a coach’s dream - and a nightmare for opposing defenses. When you’ve got that many weapons producing, it’s tough to key in on any one guy.
First-Half Battle, Second-Half Separation
The first 20 minutes were a back-and-forth affair, with six ties and 11 lead changes. It looked like the game might go down to the wire - until Dillon Hunter had other ideas.
With the clock winding down before halftime, Hunter hit a contested, buzzer-beating three that gave Clemson a 35-33 edge heading into the break. It was the kind of momentum-shifting shot that can spark a run - and that’s exactly what it did.
Coming out of halftime, the Tigers flipped the switch. After hitting just 4-of-16 from deep in the first half, they caught fire, starting the second half on a 6-of-8 tear from beyond the arc. That stretch turned a tight game into a double-digit lead in a hurry.
The Turning Point: Butta Johnson’s Old-School Spark
The moment things really turned came courtesy of Butta Johnson. His and-1 layup early in the second half wasn’t just a tough bucket - it jumpstarted a Clemson run that saw them score in bunches from deep.
After Johnson’s three-point play, Clemson hit six straight shots, including back-to-back-to-back-to-back threes from Buckner, Davidson, Chauncey Porter and Wahlin. That run blew the game open, pushing the Tigers ahead 57-43 with just over 11 minutes to play. From there, Georgia Tech never got back within striking distance.
Lockdown Defense Seals It
While the offense got hot, Clemson’s defense quietly turned in a strong second-half performance. Georgia Tech shot just under 37 percent for the game and only 31 percent after halftime. The Tigers, meanwhile, finished at nearly 46 percent from the field and 11-of-28 from three - a solid bounce-back effort after a cold shooting night in their previous outing.
Brad Brownell on the Shooting Surge
“We've been a little streaky at times,” head coach Brad Brownell said postgame. “We didn't shoot the ball as well in our last game, and we didn't shoot the ball very well in the first half. But when we do make 3s, it obviously really helps us, like every team.
“Jake [Wahlin] was obviously good, and we just spread the court a little more and got a few more open 3s, and guys were able to knock them down. That was a big factor.”
What’s Next
Clemson now gets a full week to rest and regroup before returning home to face Pittsburgh on Jan. 31. The Tigers already beat the Panthers once this season - a 73-68 road win back on Jan. 3 - and they'll look to complete the season sweep in front of their home crowd at Littlejohn Coliseum.
With the ACC race heating up, this win keeps Clemson firmly in the mix at the top of the standings - and if they continue to get this kind of production across the board, they’ll be a tough out for anyone the rest of the way.