Sports

Clemson Beats Notre Dame, 67-58

January 20, 2018 / 5:33 PM CST / CBS Chicago

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CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) -- Gabe DeVoe had 17 points, including a crucial 3-pointer with 3:18 to go, and No. 20 Clemson got its first-ever win over Notre Dame, 67-58, on Saturday.

The Fighting Irish (13-7, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) rallied with two straight 3s to draw within 59-56. That's when freshman Amir Simms hit Clemson's ninth 3-pointer with 1:02 to go to extend the lead.

Notre Dame could not come back as it lost its fourth straight. The Fighting Irish had a 5-0 all-time mark over the Tigers, and Clemson barely escaped continuing a second streak of failure in the same week: The Tigers fell to 0-59 all-time at Chapel Hill with their 87-78 loss to North Carolina on Tuesday night.

Shelton Mitchell and Marcquise Reed scored 12 points each for the Tigers (16-3, 5-2). Mitchell had 10 of Clemson's final 20 points after Notre Dame had cut an 11-point lead to 47-46 on Martinas Geben's bucket with nine minutes left.

TJ Gibbs led Notre Dame with 18 points. Matt Farrell, who came in averaging 18 points per game, ended with six on 2-of-11 shooting.

BIG PICTURE

Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish dug themselves an early hole as Clemson made seven of its first eight shots and eventually built a 21-10 lead halfway through the opening period. But Notre Dame answered down the stretch, gradually cutting the lead to 31-30 as it tightened up the defense and found its shooting touch. ... Notre Dame shot just two free throws.

TREE TIME

Clemson great and NBA standout Wayne "Tree" Rollins was the featured former Tiger during a pregame alumni celebration. Rollins was recently inducted into the school's Ring of Honor, the highest athletic award the university gives out. Rollins played 18 years in the NBA, 11 with the Atlanta Hawks. Rollins finished his degree from Clemson two years ago.

UP NEXT

Notre Dame has a week off before facing Virginia Tech at home on Jan. 27.

Notre Dame