Unable to repeat last year’s tremendous feat, the No. 20 Tigers fell to No. 4 Duke in the ACC’s spectacle showdown of the week, 67-54, this Saturday in Durham, North Carolina.
Understandably so, Clemson focused heavily on standout freshman Cameron Boozer, who still led all scorers with 18 points. However, while the Tigers were busy on Boozer, Duke’s supporting cast stepped up and eventually put the game out of reach.
Clemson kept it close with the Blue Devils for the first 20, heading into the half down just five after holding Duke to 31 points — its fewest in a first half this season. Early turnovers and foul trouble for Duke kept the game within reach.
However, only two Tigers reached double figures: RJ Godfrey with 10 points and Carter Welling with 12. Duke, meanwhile, had three players in double digits.
Duke’s defense took control, holding Clemson to a season-low 25% from three on 6-for-25 shooting and 35.1% from the field on 20-for-57.
Duke was clearly the superior team, and it has been most of the time.
“If you told me we’d hold Duke to 67 points, I would’ve taken that. Can’t keep up. We’re not as gifted offensively. We don’t have a guy that can kinda save you at times, can win a one on one. It’s all about shotmaking and execution, and we haven’t shot well this week,” head coach Brad Brownell said postgame.
Following back-to-back ACC losses this week, Clemson now sits at 10-3 in conference play, third behind Duke and Virginia.
The Tigers will look to return to the win column on Wednesday when they travel to Wake Forest. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
