Clemson Tigers Defeat Morehead State 83-56 for Significant Win

CLEMSON, South Carolina – The Clemson Tigers men’s basketball team defeated Morehead State 83-56 on Tuesday night at Littlejohn Coliseum, marking their third consecutive win of the season.

Freshman Chase Thompson made an impressive attempt at a tough shot while facing contact as Clemson took charge early, building a 20-5 lead within just eight minutes of the game. This victory is particularly significant for the Tigers and head coach Brad Brownell, as it avenged their previous loss to Morehead State during the 2023 NIT tournament.

Forward R.J. Godfrey expressed his motivation for the win, saying, “This is one game I had circled… I really wanted to come out and play hard for [Hunter Tyson] because he means so much to me.” Tyson’s last appearance for Clemson was marked by the loss to Morehead State, and Godfrey wanted to honor his mentor.

Godfrey had a standout performance, recording a double-double with 13 points and a team-high 11 rebounds, including six offensive boards in the first half. He has shown significant improvement from previous seasons, contributing as a leader on the team. Brownell praised Godfrey, stating, “R.J.’s at the point in his career where he needs to be a complete player.”

While Clemson maintained a comfortable lead throughout the contest, Morehead State rallied late in the first half to tighten the score to 39-20. In the second half, both teams increased their scoring, with Clemson outpacing the Eagles 44-36 in the final period.

Utah transfer Jake Wahlin led the game in scoring, netting 14 points, including four three-pointers. “A lot of my confidence comes from the team,” Wahlin commented on his performance. Freshman Ace Buckner added to the team’s efforts with 12 points before leaving the game due to cramps.

Despite their victory, Coach Brownell emphasized that the team needs to improve in certain areas, particularly in rebounding, as Morehead State edged Clemson 41-40 on the boards. He noted the importance of preparation and continuous improvement in practice.

Next, the Tigers will look to stay undefeated as they travel to Washington, D.C., to face the Georgetown Hoyas in an early road challenge on Saturday at noon.