Syracuse rallied from 15 points down to tie Clemson with 3:37 to play, but the Tigers used a 9-1 run to gain control of the game, again, giving teammate Joe Girard a nice homecoming Saturday with a 77-68 victory at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, N.Y.
Girard, who transferred to Clemson in the off-season, spent the previous four years at Syracuse where he became one of the best shooters in ACC history. However, on his return trip home, Girard led the Tigers with 18 points, while also scoring his 2,000th career point.
Besides Girard’s 18 points, the Tigers also got 15 points and 10 rebounds from PJ Hall, while Chase Hunter added 14 more and seven assists. Forward Ian Schieffelin tallied 13 points, six rebounds and two assists.
The Orange was led by JJ Starling’s and Chris Bell’s 16 points. Starling scored all 16 of his points in the second half. Judah Mintz added 14 points, as the Orange used 21 Clemson turnovers to get back in the game.
The 21 turnovers were a season-high for Clemson. The win was just Clemson’s second at the JMA Dome in seven tries. It was also a nice follow from Tuesday night’s win at No. 3 North Carolina, the Tigers’ second ever win in Chapel Hill, N.C.