Clemson utilized a 13-6 run in the second half over a six-minute span in route to its second consecutive win over rival South Carolina Tuesday night. The Tigers defeated the Gamecocks 64-48 in front of a friendly crowd in Littlejohn Coliseum.

Last season the Tigers finished 11-2 in non-conference play with top-50 RPI wins against South Carolina and Arkansas. Clemson is now 10-1 this year with top-50 wins over the Gamecocks, Ohio State and Florida, giving it an impressive early resume.

Now can the Tigers finish it in the ACC.

In a game marked by defense and turnovers the Tigers took advantage of an ice cold South Carolina shooting night. Clemson held their opponent to 2-of-16 from three-point range and a meager 32 points with under nine minutes to play.

Head Coach Brad Brownell was pleased with the way his team played defensively in a very physical game.

“I’m pleased because this is a high emotional game” he said. “We played 40 minutes of man to man, they buckled their chinstraps on and I think we made adjustments that helped keep them at bay.”

In the first half Clemson controlled the pace of the game leading for the entirety of the period with only one tie. It jumped out to a lead as large as 9 carrying a 31-26 lead into the break.

Defense prevailed early with the Tigers turning the ball over 10 times and forcing South Carolina to eight turnovers. Both teams struggled to shoot the ball in the half the Gamecocks shot 37.5 percent while Clemson managed to make 42.1 percent from the field.

The Tigers came out a little slow in the second half scoring a meager two points in the first four minutes. However, they got the ball moving taking advantage of Gamecock turnovers on a 13-6 run.

Clemson was led by the hot hand of junior Marcquise Reed who set a new career high of 25. Reed finished the game 6-of-11 from the field including five three pointers, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

Reed attributed a lot of his success to the way the Tigers are distributing the ball and creating opportunities for multiple guys to be successful.

“We know all five of us can go off any night so our chemistry is definitely building fast” said Reed. “We trust each other to make plays and it just makes the game easier.”

Gabe Devoe and Shelton Mitchell contributed 12 and ten points respectively and Donte Grantham racked up seven rebounds despite three early fouls limiting him to 20 minutes.

Clemson plays host to Louisiana-Lafayette Friday at 3 p.m. in Littlejohn Coliseum.