SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — RJ Godfrey scored 14 points, Carter Welling hit clutch free throws and a steal in the final seconds and Clemson beat Syracuse 64-61 on Wednesday in the ACC opener.
With 43 seconds left in the game, Donnie Freeman’s fast-break layup helped Syracuse narrow the deficit to 63-61. William Kyle III blocked Dillon Hunter’s layup on the next possession, but Clemson grabbed the offensive rebound and Waring was fouled with 14 seconds left.
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Wheeling made a free throw to take a three-point lead, then Freeman missed a three-pointer and Syracuse University. Nathan George rebounded for the Orange, but Wheeling stole the pass, giving Clemson the ball. The Tigers clinched the win when Jake Wahlin was fouled with less than a second left.
Freeman had 18 points and nine rebounds and George added 10 points for Syracuse (9-5, 0-1 ACC).
Hunter scored 10 points for Clemson (11-3, 1-0).
Clemson led 29-28 at halftime before Buta Johnson’s 3-pointer gave the Tigers a 43-33 lead with 13.5 minutes left.
Freeman, who has missed the past nine games with a lower-body injury, scored the game’s first nine points and the Orange trailed 54-50 after he and Clemson’s Hunter exchanged 3-pointers.
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With 5 minutes left in the game, Hunter hit another three-pointer to lead 57-50 and made a layup with 3.5 minutes left to make the score 59-50.
The Tigers made 4 of their first 5 shots to take an early 12-3 lead, but Syracuse fought back, eventually leading 24-23 on George’s 3-pointer with 6.5 minutes left in the half. The lead would change five more times throughout the remainder of the first half.
Next
Clemson: At Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Syracuse: At Georgia Tech on Tuesday.
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