CLEMSON- Chase Hunter and Joe Girard both had big nights as Clemson beat Florida State 74-63 on Saturday night inside Littlejohn Coliseum, giving the Tigers their fourth straight win over the Seminoles, and second this season.
With the win Clemson improves to 19-8 overall and 9-7 in ACC play. The Tigers have now won five out of their past six games. Florida State falls to 14-13 and 8-8.
"Good win, happy for my team," Brad Brownell said. "Thought we played very well defensively tonight. Good to win a game with our defense, down the stretch especially. Made some nice defensive stops."
Girard and Hunter were once again a lethal duo for Clemson, with the two combining for more than 30 points in the win, and the Tigers finished the night with nine blocked shots.
Girard led all scorers with 24 points, shooting 4-of-11 from deep. Hunter added 16, with three assists, while hitting on 6-of-12 from the field.
With PJ Hall being in foul trouble much of the night, RJ Godfrey played more than 20 minutes, scoring 12 points, while recording six rebounds. Ian Schieffelin and Jack Clark each pulled down 11 boards.
"Thought RJ was terrific, maybe his best game at Clemson," Brownell said. "And we certainly needed. Thought his athleticism, his speed and finishing around the rim was bigtime."
Despite PJ Hall playing just four minutes in the first half due to two early fouls, the Tigers outplayed the Seminoles over the first 20 minutes, taking a 38-28 lead into the break. Clemson shot 48% in the opening stanza, highlighted by two big 3-point shots by Chase Hunter late in the half, one coming as time expired.
"It was a hard game for us," Brownell said. "Obviously with PJ, really just never getting in a rhythm and basically being in foul trouble the whole night. Could not avoid bad things happening to him. Some games are like that."
Consecutive 3-pointers by Girard pushed the lead to 48-35 a little over four minutes into the second half, with Clemson leading by as many as 16 at one point. Florida State would then start to chip away and pull to within five at 58-53 with just over six minutes to play.
A dunk by Hunter would then put the Tigers back up by seven at 60-53. After a bucket by the Seminoles, an old fashioned 3-point play by Hall then put Clemson up 63-55 with 4:24 remaining. Two free throws by Girard would make it 66-57 with two minutes to play.
Clark then forced a turnover on the Seminoles next possession and a layup by Hall would give the Tigers a nine-point cushion at 68-59 with just over a minute left and the Noles would never get closer than seven over the final 60 seconds.
Up Next: Clemson hosts Pitt on Tuesday night inside Littlejohn. Tipoff is set for 7pm and the game will be televised on the ACCN.
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