Ace Buckner Ignites Clemson Off the Bench in Rivalry Win Over South Carolina
CLEMSON - What looked like a potentially deflating moment early in Clemson’s rivalry showdown with South Carolina quickly turned into a showcase of resilience - and a coming-out party for a redshirt freshman.
When freshman Zac Foster went down under the basket with what appeared to be a knee injury, Littlejohn Coliseum held its breath. But any emotional letdown was short-lived, thanks to Ace Buckner. The redshirt freshman guard came off the bench and lit a spark that carried Clemson to a 68-61 victory over the Gamecocks, pushing the Tigers to 9-3 on the season.
Buckner was exactly what the Tigers needed: fearless, efficient, and timely. He poured in 19 points - 15 of them in the second half - and delivered big buckets right when Clemson needed them most. It was the kind of performance that doesn’t just win games, it builds trust in a rotation and confidence in a young player’s ability to handle the moment.
Clemson’s Bench Dominates
The Tigers didn’t just get a lift from Buckner - they got a full-on bench takeover. Clemson’s reserves outscored South Carolina’s bench 41-14, with Carter Welling adding 16 points of his own to the second-unit surge. That kind of production isn’t just a luxury - it’s a weapon, especially in a gritty rivalry game where every possession matters.
Meanwhile, South Carolina (7-4) just couldn’t find the rhythm offensively. The Gamecocks struggled all night from the perimeter, going 4-of-26 from deep - including just 2-of-15 in the first half.
And when your outside shots aren’t falling, you need your go-to scorers to carry the load. That didn’t happen either.
Meechie Johnson, who came in averaging a team-best 15.5 points per game, didn’t get on the scoreboard until a pair of free throws with just over 13 minutes left in the second half. He finished with eight points on 2-of-9 shooting, and South Carolina never found a consistent offensive groove.
Buckner Takes Over Late
The turning point came midway through the second half. After South Carolina clawed back from a double-digit deficit to get within five, Buckner went to work.
First, it was a pair of aggressive drives to the rim. Then, a dagger three-pointer that pushed the lead back to 12.
The Gamecocks had one more run in them, but Clemson answered with a flurry - five straight made shots, capped by another Buckner bucket that helped re-establish a 12-point cushion with just over four minutes to play. That stretch sealed it.
Free Throws Leave Room for Improvement
If there’s one thing Clemson will want to clean up, it’s their free-throw shooting. The Tigers left points on the table, going just 19-of-31 from the line.
In a tighter game, those misses could’ve been costly. But on this night, the bench production and timely shot-making were enough to get the job done.
Bottom Line
This win wasn’t just about beating your in-state rival - it was about depth, resilience, and a young guard stepping up when his team needed him most. Buckner didn’t just fill a void; he changed the game. And if this is a sign of things to come, Clemson’s rotation just got a lot more dangerous.