Field Level Media
Feb 24, 2021
Alex Hemenway scored a career-high 17 points to power Clemson to a 60-39 victory against Wake Forest on Wednesday in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The victory improved the Tigers' record to 14-5 overall and 8-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. It also guaranteed a .500 or better finish in league play for a seventh time in coach Brad Brownell's 11 seasons at the helm.
Clemson was playing for the first time since a 74-72 win against Georgia Tech on Feb. 12. The Tigers improved to 13-3 against Wake Forest under Brownell.
Wake Forest fell to 6-12 overall and 3-12 in the ACC with its fourth consecutive loss since a four-point victory at Boston College on Feb. 10.
Hemenway came off the bench to make 5 of 6 shots from 3-point range on Wednesday.
Aamir Simms added 13 points to record his sixth straight game in double figures and 12th of the season. Simms also had 10 rebounds to notch his third double-double of the season.
Nick Honor added 11 points while Hunter Tyson had nine points and 10 rebounds for the Tigers.
Daivien Williamson paced Wake Forest with 16 points and Isaiah Mucius chipped in with 13.
Clemson took control from the outset, jumping out to a 12-6 lead. The Tigers extended the advantage to 29-15 at halftime.
The Demon Deacons closed their deficit to 10 points on a pair of free throws by Williamson with 14 minutes left. Clemson responded with a 17-4 run to push their advantage 23 points with 3:43 left.
Clemson's defense proved the story of the game, holding Wake Forest to a season-low 39 points. The Tigers improved to 50-2 overall when holding their opponent to 50 points or less during Brownell's tenure.
The Demon Deacons shot just 26.1 percent (12 of 46)from the floor and 21.7 percent (5 of 23) from 3-point range. The Tigers, who shot 43.5 percent (20 of 46) in their fourth straight victory, outrebounded Wake Forest 37-22 and turned 10 Deacons turnovers into 12 points.
--Field Level Media