By Will Vandervort.
It has been six years since Clemson last beat at team ranked in the top 10 at Littlejohn Coliseum that streak will extend for at least another year.
Demarcus Harrison’s three-point attempt as time expired hit off the side of the rim as No. 10 Notre Dame hung on for a 60-58 win.
Following a Demetrius Jackson missed free throw and a Clemson timeout with 22 seconds to play, the Tigers got the ball to Jaron Blossomgame who drove inside from the right side and put up a floater that fell short with nine seconds to play.
But following a scramble and a rebound by Notre Dame’s Bonzie Colson, Harrison poked the ball away, Landry Nnoko grabbed it and passed it back to Harrison, whose shot just missed as time went off the clock.
It was tough way to end in what was an inspiring effort by the Tigers in front of packed house. Clemson was led by Blossomgame’s 17 points and career-high 14 rebounds, while Harrison, who was called out by his head coach on Monday, dropped in 15 points on 6 of 8 shooting.
Rod Hall, who had nine points, ended a three minute and 33 second scoring drought with a layup with 35.7 seconds to go that pulled the Tigers within two points. It also ended an 8-0 Notre Dame run in a 3:17 span.
Clemson was up four, 56-52, before that as Hall drove the lane and layed the ball in with 4:07 to play to extend the lead following the old fashioned three-point play.
Jerian Grant, who led all scorers with 22 points, pulled up from 12 feet with the shot clock winding down and sank a basket with 41.5 seconds remaining, capping the 8-0 run and giving the Irish a 60-56 lead.
A few moments earlier, Jackson followed his own miss and tipped the ball back in the basket to give them a 58-56 lead with 2:20 to play. It marked the 12th and final lead change of the night.
A steal by Grant and a follow shot by Jackson tied the game at 56-56 with 3:16 to play.
Clemson took a 51-48 lead following an Austin Ajukwa jump shot and a Nnoko jump-hook with 7:22 to play.
Grant nailed a three-pointer from the top of the key as time expired to cut the Tigers’ first-half lead to 31-29 at the break. The senior guard scored 12 first-half points on 4 of 6 shooting and finished the game 7 of 14 for the night.
Blossomgame led the Tigers with 11 first-half points and was 5 of 6 from the field as they built an eight-point lead at 23-15 following an Ajukwa three-pointer with 9:25 to play in the half.
Clemson got the lead early in the game thanks to an 11-0 run in the first five minutes for an 11-4 lead. They got baskets from Hall, Blossomgame, Harrison and Nnoko during the run.
Notre Dame shots 42.3 percent from the field, while the Tigers were 38.5.
Clemson will play Virginia Tech in Littlejohn on Saturday starting at noon.