CLEMSON, S.C. — In a compelling matchup on Wednesday night, Clemson outperformed Syracuse with a score of 86-72, thanks in large part to standout performances from Chase Hunter and Viktor Lakhin. Hunter led all scorers with 23 points, while Lakhin contributed significantly with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Clemson displayed an impressive shooting percentage of 58% in the first half, capitalizing on nine turnovers from Syracuse, which resulted in 14 points for the Tigers. Hunter had a remarkable first half, netting 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including hitting 4 of 5 from three-point range. Additionally, Hunter reached a career milestone with three steals, bringing his total to 100, and he ended the night with one assist, leaving him just two short of 400 career assists.

The game saw a tight start, with six lead changes occurring within the first eight minutes. The Tigers took control for good thanks to Hunter’s three-pointer that put them ahead at 18-16. Clemson capped the half with a strong finish, scoring the last 10 points to enter halftime leading 48-29.

In the second half, Clemson maintained a significant lead of at least 20 points for much of the period. However, Syracuse attempted a comeback with a 3-pointer from JJ Starling, narrowing the gap to 76-59 with six minutes left. The Orange managed to make it 85-72 with a few more three-pointers close to the end, but they couldn’t score again before the final buzzer.

In addition to Hunter and Lakhin, Jaeden Zackery added 14 points, and Ian Schieffelin chipped in 11 for Clemson, improving their conference record to 8-1 for the season, marking the second time in three years the Tigers have begun league play with eight wins. This follows their impressive start to the 2022-23 season, where they reached a 10-1 record in the ACC.

For Syracuse, JJ Starling emerged as the leading scorer with 25 points, while Eddie Lampkin contributed 14. Both teams showcased high shooting efficiency, with Clemson at 56% and Syracuse at 54%. The Tigers had a significant edge in points off turnovers, boasting a 19-4 advantage, having committed only seven turnovers compared to Syracuse’s 14.

Looking ahead, Clemson will face Virginia Tech on Saturday, while Syracuse is set to host Pitt.