The victory came late, but it was certainly worth the wait. Clemson’s men’s basketball team secured its signature win of the season, defeating No. 4 Kentucky 70-66 in a thrilling late-night contest at Littlejohn Coliseum, part of the program’s “Grit After Dark” series. Forward Ian Schieffelin delivered a standout performance with 11 points, a career-high 18 rebounds, and a double-double, while three other Tigers scored nine points or more. The win handed Kentucky its first loss of the season, marking Clemson’s biggest victory of 2024-25. Coach Brad Brownell’s squad improved to 8-1, likely earning their first AP Top 25 ranking, while Kentucky fell to 7-1.
The SEC/ACC Challenge game tipped off at 9:30 p.m. and concluded just before midnight. Clemson led 66-62 with 25.5 seconds left, and after a pair of free throws by guard Chase Hunter, the Tigers were up by six. Kentucky responded with a 3-pointer to pull within two points, but Hunter sealed the win with more free throws.
In the first half, Kentucky led by six points but Clemson surged with a 14-2 run to take a 37-30 lead into halftime. Schieffelin dominated the boards with nine points and 13 rebounds, including six offensive rebounds, while forward Chauncey Wiggins had a key block. Kentucky struggled with its shooting, hitting just 28.6% of its three-pointers and 31.3% from the field in the first half.
The second half was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging leads. Clemson gained some breathing room with a 59-54 lead at the eight-minute mark, highlighted by a rare three-pointer from center Viktor Lakhin. The Tigers extended their lead to a game-high eight points at 66-58 after a tough and-one layup by guard Jaeden Zackery. Clemson held on for the win, which will boost their NCAA Tournament hopes come March.
Next four games for Clemson basketball:
- Dec. 7: at Miami (12 p.m., ESPN2)
- Dec. 14: vs. Memphis (11 a.m., ESPN2)
- Dec. 17: at South Carolina (7 p.m., SECN)
- Dec. 21: vs. Wake Forest (2:30 p.m., ESPN)
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