Despite turning it over 21 times, Clemson went on the road and knocked off Syracuse 77-68 on Saturday, giving the Tigers back-to-back wins in the ACC for the first time this season.
In his return to the JMA Dome, Joe Girard led the way for Clemson, scoring 18 points, which puts him at the 2,000 mark for his college career. He hit on 4-of-5 from beyond the arc and was also 4-of-4 from the free throw line in the closing moments to help seal the win.
PJ Hall added 15 points, while pulling down 10 rebounds, giving the big man his sixth double-double of the season. Ian Schieffelin pitched in with 13 points, while Chase Hunter added 14 and seven assists, giving Clemson four players to hit the double-digit mark in scoring.
Clemson used a 14-0 scoring run midway through the first half to build a 27-12 lead, as the Tigers would dominate down low over the first 20 minutes to take a 37-24 lead into the break. Led by Hall's 10 first-half points and six rebounds, Clemson had a 27-11 advantage on the boards in the opening stanza, along with outscoring the Orange 28-12 in the paint.
Syracuse would then score the first eight points of the second half, cutting the lead to 37-32. By the 10:39 mark, the Orange had pulled to within three at 52-49. Girard would then drill a 3-pointer to put the Tigers back up by six at 55-49.
Syracuse would keep coming, though, pulling to within two at 57-55 with just over seven minutes left. A dunk by Hall on the other end would quickly put Clemson back up by four at 59-55. The Orange would then score the next three points to make it 59-58 with just over four minutes remaining.
Syracuse would then tie it at 60-60, but a bucket by Hall put the Tigers back up by two with just over three to play. Hunter would then drive the lane and hit on a layup on the next Clemson possession to push the lead to four at 64-60 with 2:28 left in the game. Schieffelin pushed the lead back to seven at 67-60 with a 3-pointer on the next trip down the floor.
The Orange would cut it to five at 73-68 with just under a minute to play, but another layup by Hunter quickly put Clemson back up 75-68. Hunter would add two more free throws for the final margin.
With the win, Clemson moves to 16-7 overall and 6-6 in ACC play. The Tigers will return home on Wednesday night for a matchup with Miami. Tipoff is set for 7pm inside Littlejohn Coliseum.
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