The Tigers had the hot hand early on, taking a 6-0 lead in the blink of an eye. The Panthers gradually came into their own from the field, but the Tigers used a 7-2 run to close out the first quarter with a 19-13 lead.

Edwards sank a 3-pointer for the first score of the second quarter to give the Tigers 9-point edge, followed by a three ball off the hands of Camreé Clegg to put Clemson up 30-19 midway through the frame. A few minutes later, Thornton produced a three-point play, battling through contact for a layup and sinking the ensuing free throw.

Up 44-25 at halftime, Clemson used its dominance down low to build the sizable lead. Tallying 28 rebounds and 17 second-chance points through two frames, the Tigers also benefited from 19 points scored off High Point turnovers. Clemson’s rebounding advantage was due in large part to the play Bennett, who came down with nine rebounds in the first half alone.

High Point came to play in the third quarter, shooting 36 percent from the field and embarking on a 9-2 run to temporarily challenge the Tigers. Despite being outscored by five points in the third, Clemson still held a commanding 14-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes.

Thornton continued her dominant paint performance during the final quarter, hitting layups and making the most of key offensive rebounds. Clegg iced the game for the Tigers, pouring in a dagger 3-pointer to put the home team up by 18 with under a minute to go.

High Point had three players reach double-digit scoring totals, including guard Lindsey Edwards, who finished the night with 19 points. Fellow Panther guard Emma Bockrath notched 17 points to go along with her nine rebounds.