Clemson Cruises Past Pittsburgh 63-52 Behind Balanced Effort

Clemson's strong performance on both ends of the court propelled them to a 63-52 win over Pittsburgh at Littlejohn Coliseum. The Tigers, now 18-4, were led by a balanced attack, with Nick Davidson and Carter Welling each scoring 12 points. RJ Godfrey added 10 points, demonstrating Clemson's depth and versatility.

The first half was all Clemson, as they built a 33-16 lead behind stifling defense that limited Pittsburgh to just 16 points. The Panthers struggled to find their rhythm, with Roman Siulepa being the lone bright spot, scoring 6 of his 12 points in the half. Clemson's dominance was evident, and it seemed like the game was all but over at the break.

In the second half, Pittsburgh showed some signs of life, outscoring Clemson 36-30. Siulepa continued to impress, adding 6 more points and grabbing 9 rebounds, while Damarco Minor chipped in with 12 points and 6 rebounds of his own. However, it was too little, too late, as Clemson's lead was too large to overcome.

The win was predicted by CHD Scout, who had Clemson winning by 9.8 points. In the end, the Tigers exceeded that margin, winning by 11. The predicted score of 77-67 was not close, but the scout's pick of Clemson as the winner was correct. The Tigers' ability to win by a larger margin than expected is a reflection of their strength and depth.

This game had real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. For Clemson, this was a Quad 3 win, which will help bolster their already strong case for a tournament bid. With a current net ranking of 29, the Tigers are in a good position to make a deep run in the postseason. On the other hand, this was a Quad 1 loss for Pittsburgh, which will not significantly hurt their resume but will make it more difficult for them to climb out of their current net ranking of 118.

The victory for Clemson is a significant one, as it shows they can win games against inferior opponents without relying on a single player. Their balanced attack and strong defense make them a formidable opponent, and this win will only add to their confidence. As the season enters its final stretch, Clemson is poised to make a strong push for a high tournament seed. With their current record and net ranking, they are in a good position to make some noise in the postseason. The Tigers' performance against Pittsburgh is just another example of their strength and depth, and it will be interesting to see how they perform in their upcoming games.