Clemson Overpowers Gardner-Webb in Season Opener
Clemson dominated Gardner-Webb with a decisive 97-59 victory at Littlejohn Coliseum. The Tigers' offense was led by Nick Davidson, who scored 18 points.
Key Performances
- Carter Welling, a transfer from Utah Valley, recorded his first double-double off the bench, contributing 14 points and 11 rebounds.
- RJ Godfrey had a perfect shooting night with 13 points, going 5-for-5 from the field and 3-for-3 from the free-throw line.
- Ace Buckner added 11 points off the bench to bolster Clemson's bench scoring.
Game Progression
Clemson started strong with a 14-3 run, which was finally stopped by Gardner-Webb’s Spence Sims with a three-pointer. Sims and Jacob Hudson each scored 11 points to lead Gardner-Webb.
Gardner-Webb struggled with foul trouble early, as starters Julius Clark and Curtis Williams each committed three fouls in the first half and fouled out early in the second half.
Historical Context
This marks Clemson’s 10th instance of winning its first two games of a season by at least 25 points. Moreover, it is the first time since the 2009-10 season that the Tigers have started with two wins exceeding margins of 35 points or more.
Next Game
Clemson will return to the court on November 11, hosting Morehead State at 7 p.m.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Author's summary: Clemson’s strong start, highlighted by key players’ performances and dominant scoring, continues a rare tradition of emphatic early-season wins, setting high expectations for the team.