Clemson turned on the offensive and defensive pressure in the second half, forcing 17 Illinois turnovers and squeaking out a 76-74 win in Champaign.In one of the best games of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Clemson shot an amazing 58% from the field (Illinois shot a darn good 51.7% themselves). It was a fun, physical game to watch and had just 21 combined free throws attempted.
Clemson had a balanced attack. Demontez Stitt scored 18 points, Trevor Booker added 16 while K.C. Rivers and Raymond Sykes chipped in 14 points apiece.
Illinois was less balanced. Mike Davis scored a career-high 28 points and Demetri McCamey added 20. The rest of the team combined for just 26 points.
This is the first win for the ACC in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge after the Big Ten took the first two games. It was also the third straight road win to open the series.
Clemson visits North Carolina on Sunday, meaning that we all have to pull out the most unbelievable stat in ACC basketball: the Tigers are 0-52 at Chapel Hill. Since their first meeting at Carolina back in 1926 (a 50-20 Tar Heel win) to the last time Clemson visited (a 16-point loss in 2006), the Tigers have gone home losers each and every time they come to Chapel Hill to play.
