CLEMSON — Clemson got 16 points and seven rebounds from Viktor Lakhin, while Jaeden Zackery added 12 points four assists and four steals, as the 11th-ranked Tigers cruised to a 65-47 victory over Virginia Tech Saturday at Littlejohn Coliseum.
The Tigers were celebrating Senior Night at Littlejohn, as it was the regular season finale for both teams.
“Great day in Littlejohn,” Clemson head coach Brad Brownell said.
Saturday’s win over the Hokies was the Tigers’ eighth straight to close out the regular season, a new record for consecutive ACC victories.
The difference in the game were turnovers. The Hokies turned the ball over 23 times, a season high for a Clemson opponent, which led to 25 points off turnovers for Clemson.
The Tigers had a 25-11 advantage when it came to points off turnovers, and turned the basketball over just 10 times themselves.
“We have done a lot of really good things (this season),” Brownell said. “Like today, we won with our defense. We have won games making three (pointers). We have won games posting.
“This team has done a lot of really good things for a long period of time. So, I am just really proud of them. Today was fun to share in that memory and moment with all those seniors.”
Clemson (26-5, 18-2 ACC) led from start to finish and was really never tested by the Hokies. The Tigers’ largest lead was 19 points, 44-25, with 15:33 to play in the game.
It was a quiet senior night for Chase Hunter and Ian Schieffelin. Though the two have had many memorable moments at Littlejohn Coliseum, their last game here will not stand out as much as some others.
Hunter finished with 4 points on 2-of-9 shooting, while Schieffelin had 5 points and 2 rebounds in the win.
Historic win
With the victory, Clemson tied a school record for wins on the court (26), but it set a school record for most regular season wins.
The Tigers tied the 1989-’90 Tigers, who won 26 games counting postseason play, though two of those games were removed from the record books due to NCAA sanctions.
This year’s Tigers passed the 1986-’87 team for most wins in a regular season. That team was led by ACC Player of the Year Horace Grant. They finished the regular season 25-4 that year.
“Just a remarkable regular season,” Brownell said. “Twenty-six and five (overall), eighteen and two in the ACC, I am just really happy and proud of our team for all of their hard work and the staff and the job they did. It is hard to be that consistent.”
It was over when
Leading just 21-14 with 10:03 to play in the first half, the Tigers went on an 8-0 run to extend their lead to 29-14 with 8:08 to go. Dillon Hunter capped the run with a driving layup.
The Hokies (13-18, 8-12) got no closer than 13 points after that Clemson run.
Senior Day
Clemson hosted Senior Day in its home finale. The school honored guard Chase Hunter, guard Jaeden Zackery, forward Ian Schieffelin and center Viktor Lakhin.
As expected, Hunter and Schieffelin were given standing ovations from the sold out crowd.
“Viktor was emotional coming out onto the court,” Brownell said. “It does my heart good to see that because it shows how much somebody cares. In this day and age, right now, we question how much kids care and with all the things involved, it is not easy to have a true team.
“I am proud to say that we do.”
Another bad day from long range
For the second time in three games, the Tigers struggled from 3-point range. Clemson connected on just 3 of 20 shots from behind the arc.
The Tigers did not shoot the ball well from three-point range in last week’s win at Virginia. They were just 1-for-10 from long range in that game.
But like in last week’s win over the Cavaliers, the Tigers dominated the Hokies in the paint, too. Clemson outscored Virginia 48-24 in the paint last week. They outscored the Hokies 44-20 on Saturday night.
Record attendance
Clemson men’s basketball set a new standard in attendance this year. More than 140,000 basketball fans attended men’s basketball games this season at Littlejohn Coliseum.
Up Next
Clemson waits to see who they will pair up with next Thursday night in the ACC Tournament. The Tigers will be the No. 3 seed and get a double bye in the tournament.