GREENVILLE — Clemson won its fourth game against a top 25 opponent with Wednesday night’s 73-60 win over No. 23 Pittsburgh.
Four Clemson players scored in double-digits, including Jaron Blossomgame, who had 22 points on 7 of 11 shooting from the field.
“I’m very confident and I’m playing well,” he said. “My teammates are getting me the ball in position to where I can be really effective. All of the credit really goes to them.”
It was the third straight game and the fourth time in the last six that Blossomgame’s scored 20 or more points. K.J. McDaniels was the last Clemson player (2013-14) to score 20 points in three consecutive games.
“He’s playing very well right now, very confidently,” said Brad Brownell, “And he’s making some shots, which really opens some other things up for other players. It makes him even harder to guard.”
With the win, the Tigers improved to 13-7 (6-2 ACC) while the Panthers dropped to 16-4 (5-3 ACC).
Jordan Roper and Avery Holmes both scored 13. Landry Nnoko finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. Sidy Ditte, who fouled out, had a game-high nine rebounds. As a team, Clemson out-rebounded Pittsburgh, 37-32.
“They’re a big, physical team and coach really emphasized rebounding,” Blossomgame said. “Guys just stepped up and did well tonight. I told the guards they needed to step up and help rebound down and the guards helped rebound tonight.”
Donte Grantham was the only starter not to score in double-digits, but he chipped in with seven points, five assists and three steals.
Pittsburgh made its first five baskets from inside the paint. With the score tied at 10, Clemson went on a 9-2 run, during which the Panthers shot 2 of 9 from the field.
The Tigers built a 29-17 lead when Roper scored five quick points after the under-8 official timeout.
Clemson led by 14 three different times in the first half. Paced by Blossomgame and Roper, who combined to score 25 points during the half, Clemson took a 40-26 lead into the break.
“We played about as well as we can play in the first half,” Brownell said. “That’s as good offensive basketball, defensive basketball that we’ll play.”
The lead grew to 18 before Pittsburgh’s 9-0 run cut the score to 52-43 with 10:54 to play. But Gabe DeVoe’s corner 3-pointer off a timeout stopped the bleeding.
During the second half, Clemson’s streak of 36 straight made free-throws ended when Djitte missed the first of his two attempts. The Tigers ended the night 18 of 26 from the line.
As a team, Clemson shot 47 percent from the field. Pittsburgh finished at 38 percent.
“We did a really good job of preparing for teams like this…guys were really locked in defensively,” Blossomgame said.
Clemson is back in action on Saturday with a noon showdown at Florida State. Road trips to Wake Forest and Virginia Tech will follow, before Clemson’s Feb. 8 return to The Well.
“Teams are going to play better at home. We’re going to have to play exceptionally well,” Brownell said. “Certainly, we’re capable. Whether we actually get it done or not, we’ll find out. I hope so.”
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