Tigers Fall in Overtime to Wolfpack 80-76

CLEMSON, S.C. – Despite a late push in the second half, Clemson University men’s basketball fell 80-76 in overtime to NC State on Tuesday night in Littlejohn Coliseum.

The Tigers (16-4, 6-1 ACC) lost for the first time in league play. Clemson trailed by as many as 11 in the opening stanza, but clawed its way back to tie the score 67-67 and took its first lead on an RJ Godfrey (Suwanee, Ga./North Gwinnett/Georgia) layup with 1:12 to go in regulation.

NC State forced overtime on a pair of free throws and neither team could score to force the extra period. The Tigers lost the extra frame 11-7, missing three free throws.

Godfrey led all Tiger scorers with 16 points and added seven rebounds. Carter Welling (Draper, Utah/Corner Canyon/Utah Valley) totaled 14 points and nine rebounds and two assists, while Ace Buckner (Dallas, Texas/La Lumiere School (Ind.) scored 12 off the bench to aid the Tiger offensive effort.

Dillon Hunter (Atlanta, Ga./Westlake) led the Tigers with five assists.

Clemson lost the turnover battle by six and the free throw margin by seven. The Tigers outrebounded the Wolfpack 38-30 but were outscored in points off turnovers 19-6.

Clemson returns to the court on Saturday, Jan. 24 when it travels to Georgia Tech for a 12 p.m. tipoff on ACCN.Notes: Clemson falls to 16-4 on the season and 6-1 in the ACC … RJ Godfrey totaled his eighth consecutive double-digit scoring game of the season … it was Godfrey’s seventh game with at least seven rebounds … Carter Welling collected his fourth-straight double-digit scoring game and his fifth game with nine or more rebounds … Ace Buckner added his sixth double-digit scoring game with 12 points … Dillon Hunter totaled his fourth game with five or more assists this season.