CHAPEL HILL, N.C. —Clemson missed its first shot to open the second half Tuesday night, then followed that with 15 straight baskets.
After the Tiger made the 15th straight shot, it cut what was once an 18-point North Carolina lead to two points with 8:01 to play. Clemson again cut the lead to two points a few matters later, but the Tar Heels got a Luke Maye jump shot and then a huge three-pointer from Cameron Johnson to stretch the lead back to five points as No. 14 North Carolina hung on for an 87-79 win over the 18th-ranked Tigers at the Dean Smith Center.
Clemson trailed 38-23 at halftime and was just 8-of-25 from the field with 8 turnovers. However, the Tigers shot 61.3 percent from the field in the second half, getting themselves back in the game.
The win allowed North Carolina (15-4, 4-2 ACC) to keep its record streak at 59-0 all-time against Clemson in Chapel Hill, N.C. The Tar Heels have won 10 straight overall against the Tigers.
The Tigers (15-3, 4-2 ACC) were led by Marcquise Reed’s 21 points—19 of which came in the second half—and Shelton Mitchell’s 18 points and 4 assists. Mitchell scored all 18 of his points in the second half.
Clemson will host Notre Dame on Saturday at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson. The game is scheduled to tip at 4 p.m.