With the win, the Tigers (24-5, 16-2 ACC) extended their winning streak to six games since an 89-86, triple-overtime loss at home to Georgia Tech on Feb. 4. Clemson also extended its program-record, road winning streak over ACC teams to seven games.
On his 22nd birthday, Ian Schieffelin led Clemson with a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double after scoring a career-high 24 points on Wednesday against Notre Dame.
Viktor Lakhin (14 points) and Jaeden Zackery (12) also scored in double figures for the Tigers, while Isaac McKneely scored 16 points to lead the Cavaliers (14-15, 7-11).
Clemson made just one 3-pointer but dominated inside, scoring a season-high 48 points in the paint. The Tigers clamped down defensively in the second half, holding the Cavaliers to 26 points after the break while outscoring the Cavs 44-26 after halftime.
The Tigers trailed 32-27 at halftime after missing 10 straight shots to end the first half and going more than five minutes without a field goal to end the first half.
Virginia shot 45.8% from the field and 50% from 3-point range in the first half, while Clemson went 39.3% from the field and 0-of-2 from 3. It marked the first time all season that the Tigers didn’t hit a 3-pointer in a first half.
The Cavaliers opened up their largest lead of the game at 37-27 early in the second half before the Tigers responded with an 13-2 run, sparked by Schieffelin, to take a 40-39 lead with around 14 minutes left — Clemson’s first lead since it was 6-4 early in the first half.
Zackery knocked down Clemson’s first and only 3 of the game with 12:23 to go, and Schieffelin added a jumper, extending the Tigers’ run to 20-2 and giving them a 47-39 lead at the 11:27 mark.
Virginia answered with back-to-back 3s after the under-12 timeout to cut Clemson’s lead to 2, but the Tigers quickly countered with a few buckets to get more breathing room and never looked back en route to the win.
Milestones for Schieffelin, Hunter
On Saturday, Schieffelin passed Elden Campbell on Clemson’s career rebounds list. Meanwhile, Chase Hunter scored six points against Virginia, passing Horace Grant on the career scoring list.
Tigers Tie School Record
With its 24th regular season win, Clemson has tied the school record for regular season wins. The Tigers also had 24 regular season victories in 1986-87.
Up Next
Clemson will play its final road game of the regular season on Wednesday at Boston College. Tipoff at Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, Mass., is set for 7 p.m. on ESPNU.
