CLEMSON, S.C. — In a notable matchup, Ian Schieffelin delivered a personal best of 24 points, leading No. 13 Clemson to an impressive 83-68 win over Notre Dame. This victory marked a significant milestone, as Clemson set a new single-season program record by securing their 15th Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) win on Wednesday night.
Schieffelin, who also grabbed nine rebounds, played a crucial role in the latter part of the first half. He scored four consecutive baskets after his teammates struggled, missing 12 prior shots, to establish a 41-31 lead by halftime. Notre Dame (12-16, 6-11) was unable to recover from this deficit.
With this victory, Clemson (23-5, 15-2) surpassed their previous record of 14 conference wins, which they achieved two seasons ago but were unable to capitalize on with an NCAA tournament appearance. The 6-foot-8 senior, Schieffelin, broke his past record of 23 points, set during a triple-overtime loss to Georgia Tech on February 4.
Viktor Lakhin contributed significantly to Clemson’s success, adding 18 points to the scoreboard. Meanwhile, Markus Burton, one of the ACC’s leading scorers, managed to tally 30 points for Notre Dame.
Observations
Notre Dame faced a challenging February, recording losses in six of their seven games throughout the month. Their interior defense faltered against Clemson, as Schieffelin dominated with 16 first-half points and six rebounds. Clemson, despite a rocky shooting start, regained control of the game. Consistency will be crucial for the Tigers if they aim for another deep run in March, reminiscent of their Elite Eight appearance last year.
Pivotal Moment
Clemson saw their nine-point advantage dwindle, alongside a streak of 12 missed shots, allowing the Irish to pull ahead. At this critical juncture, Schieffelin made four consecutive shots, including a crucial 3-pointer and a three-point play, revitalizing the Tigers.
Noteworthy Stat
Clemson managed the game with exemplary ball control, committing a season-low of four turnovers.
Future Fixtures
Looking forward, Notre Dame is set to face Wake Forest on Saturday, while Clemson will be on their way to Virginia the same day.
