ATLANTA — After a tough home loss to NC State last Saturday, Clemson did not waste any time getting off to a hot start at the McCamish Pavilion.

Georgia Tech led 6-3 with 18:31 left in the first half before the Tigers hit their stride. They knocked down five of their first six 3-pointers to spark a 20-3 run in 4:02 and turn the tide.

Clemson shot 48 percent from beyond the arch to keep the Yellow Jackets at a distance for an 81-57 road victory.

“Obviously, the last time we played we did not make shots. It evened out today,” Clemson head coach Brad Brownell said. “I’m pleased with the way our guys guarded, and we sustained it defensively on both ends for the full forty minutes. It felt good to get another road win.”

Clemson finished 53 percent from the field on 31 of 58 shooting and went 14-for-29 from three.

The Tigers (18-8, 8-7 ACC) took advantage of an impressive performance from Ian Schieffelin. The junior finished with a game-high 19 points, one off his personal best, and three rebounds.

During the first-half run, Schieffelin and P.J. Hall combined to knock down their first six 3-pointers. Both finished 3-for-4 from beyond the arc as Schieffelin matched his career high from deep.

“We knew going into the game that those shots were going to be open,” Brownell said. “They were packing things in the paint a lot, and we told our guys (to take) rhythm shots. If you’ve got rhythm shots, be ready. We have confidence in our players to take those shots.”

Chase Hunter added 18 points, six assists and six rebounds. The Atlanta native anchored a 21-assist, four-turnover night for the Tigers.

“When we shoot it this well, we’re going to get a lot of assists,” Hunter said. “We move the ball well. We’ve got a lot of guys that can make shots. When we’re on, and we’re hitting, we can have plenty more games with 20 assists.”

Joe Girard finished with 14 points and three assists, while Hall tallied 11 points, all in the first half.

Georgia Tech shot 30 percent from the field (16-for-53) and 29 percent from behind the arc. Kyle Sturdivant paced the squad with 14 points on 4-of-10 shooting.

The Jackets (11-16, 4-12 ACC) finished with six assists and nine turnovers.

On Saturday, NC State shot 49 percent from the field and 45 percent from three. And in the Jan. 16 loss to Georgia Tech, it shot 50 percent from the field, hit 15 threes and had 13 assists.

Brownell challenged his team in a meeting leading up to Wednesday’s game to remember the joy they were playing with during the first half of the season while maintaining perspective.

“It was kind of reminding them that we’re a lot closer to the end than you realize,” Brownell recalled. “It’s also reminding them that we aren’t the 10-1 team. We’re the 8-7 team in the ACC. You better stop believing you’re that 10-1 team. We’ve got to get better.”

They responded defensively, particularly against Georgia Tech’s starting guards who finished with a combined 24 points after a 49-point tear earlier this season in two overtimes at Littlejohn Coliseum.

In the second half, the Yellow Jackets shot 24 percent from the field and 12.5 percent from beyond the arc.

Brownell felt it was a welcome sign after how the Tigers finished defensively against NC State.

“We have some weaknesses that our guys really have to stay focused on, and tonight they were terrific,” he said. “I thought they followed our game plan very well and they continued to play with great effort throughout the full forty minutes.”

INJURIES

Clemson guard Alex Hemenway was still listed as unavailable with a lower-body injury.

UP NEXT

Clemson returns to Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson on Saturday. The Tigers host Florida State for a 7:45 p.m. tip on the CW.