CLEMSON — Brad Brownell had a unique challenge heading into Tuesday night’s rivalry game with South Carolina. He does not have a single player from the Palmetto State on his roster.

The good news is he has a four-year player in Dillon Hunter and the son of a former Clemson star in Ace Buckner, who both understand the rivalry really well. It’s no surprise they both shined in the Tigers’ 68-61 win over the Gamecocks at Littlejohn Coliseum.

“It becomes a little more challenging because, I don’t know, it is the first time, in I don’t know how many years, that we do not have a South Carolina kid on our roster,” Brownell said. “You have so much turnover on your roster, and Lamont (Paris) and I talked about it a little bit, like the rivalry for kids that are just getting there is not maybe…you are kind of selling it a little bit yourself as the coach.

“Now, you come out and there is a great crowd. That helps, it lets everybody know how important the game is.”

Hunter and Buckner knew how important the South Carolina game was to Clemson. Hunter scored six points and added six assists with three rebounds and one steal, while Buckner had a career night with 19 points, seven rebounds and a steal.

“Being here all four years, I am familiar with the rivalry. Every time we go there they are ready to compete, so I wanted to have the same fire for this game,” Hunter said. “My last game was not my best, so I wanted to be here and get the win for the guys.”  

Last year, Hunter had to watch the end of the game from the bench after being tossed for a Flagrant-2 foul.

“That stamped it,” Hunter said.

Buckner, of course, is the son of Clemson great Greg Buckner, who helped lead the Tigers to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 1996-’98, including a Sweet 16 run in 1997. The elder Buckner went 4-0 against the Gamecocks.

Ace Buckner said it felt good having a career night against South Carolina.

“I have to keep it going. I have to be consistent,” he said.

The win was big for the Tigers (9-3) in a lot of ways. It’s a second win over an SEC opponent this season, a third against a Power 4 non-conference opponent and, more importantly to Clemson fans, it was a win over the Gamecocks.

“It was a good win against our rival, an in-state one,” Brownell said. “It will make Clemson people happy this week and throughout the year, and the coaches too. That is great, but then it will be on to the next. Cincinnati is right around the corner.”

The Tigers play Cincinnati at Bon Secours Arena on Sunday in Greenville, S.C. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.