Final Stats
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Clemson University men’s basketball put a wrap on the 2025 calendar year with a 64-61 win at Syracuse to open ACC play on New Year’s Eve.
The Tigers (11-3, 1-0 ACC) were led by RJ Godfrey (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett/Georgia) who finished with 14 points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal. Dillon Hunter (Atlanta, Ga./Westlake) totaled 10 points, including two massive 3-pointers on consecutive possessions.
Clemson led Syracuse 29-28 after the opening stanza. The Tigers built a game-high 10-point lead at 43-33 with 13:52 remaining in the contest.
The Orange, who were led by Donnie Freeman’s 18 points and nine rebounds, closed the game to just four points at 51-47 in favor of Clemson, but Hunter delivered back-to-back 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to build and conserve a seven-point advantage.
Clemson was able to hold on late and claim its first league win of the season on the road.
The Tigers scored 46 of their 64 points in the paint, which was key to the game with the Orange shooting 12 more free throws and finishing 20-for-24 from the line.
Godfrey finished 7-for-9 from the floor en route to his team-leading 14 points. Jestin Porter (Houston, Texas/Cypress Ridge/Middle Tennessee State) added nine points, while Carter Welling (Draper, Utah/Corner Canyon/Utah Valley) totaled seven points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals and Jake Wahlin (Provo, Utah/Timpview/Utah) added six points and five rebounds to go with a block and an assist.
Ace Buckner (Dallas, Texas/La Lumiere School (Ind.) scored eight of Clemson’s 18 bench points.
Clemson has a short turnaround and returns to the floor on Saturday, Jan. 3 when it travels to Pittsburgh for a 12 p.m. tip. The game will be televised on The CW.
Notes: Clemson improved to 11-3 with the win and 12-6 all-time against Syracuse … Head Coach Brad Brownell won his 303rd game at Clemson and the 470th of his career … the Tigers win streak over the Orange is now five – dating back to Feb. 22, 2023 … it was Clemson’s third win at the JMA Wireless Dome in series history … Clemson move to 4-1 this season in games decided by 3 points or less … Clemson improved to 7-1 (.875) on New Year’s Eve in program history … Brownell is now 2-1 on New Year’s Eve … Clemson averaged 36.1 points per game from its bench the first 12 games – outscoring its opponents’ bench in 11 games and tying one, but has been outscored the last two contests averaging 20.0 per game … Clemson’s 46 points in the paint were the third-highest of the season … RJ Godfrey led Clemson in scoring for the fourth time (including ties) and produced his 10th double-digit scoring game of the season … Godfrey’s seven made field goals was a season-high … Jestin Porter eclipsed the 1,300-point plateau in his career … Dillon Hunter scored in double-figures for the sixth time this season and made multiple threes for the fifth time this season and 11th time in his career.
Get the latest news on all things Clemson men’s basketball by following us on Twitter (@ClemsonMBB), Facebook (/ClemsonMBB) and Instagram (@clemsonmbb).
