Behind a breakout performance from Jestin Porter, the Clemson Tigers pulled away late for a 73–68 win over the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday, opening ACC play with two consecutive road victories — a first in conference history since the league’s founding in 1953.
The victory also pushed Clemson’s ACC road winning streak to 10 games, extending a program record and underscoring the Tigers’ growing comfort in hostile environments.
Porter Takes Over Late
Porter delivered the defining moments. The sophomore guard poured in a season-high 21 points, knocking down two timely 3-pointers in the final minutes to give Clemson separation in a game that remained tight into the closing stretch.
Each time Pittsburgh threatened to seize momentum, Porter answered, calmly spacing the floor and converting under pressure.
A Gritty First Half
The early stages were anything but smooth. Pittsburgh set a physical tone, and the teams traded leads throughout the opening half. The Panthers found success from the perimeter, while Clemson attacked the paint.
RJ Godfrey anchored that inside effort, scoring 10 of his points before halftime by finishing through contact. Despite Clemson’s interior production, Pittsburgh carried a narrow 35–34 lead into the break.
Response and Resolve
Clemson responded with urgency to open the second half, stringing together stops and pushing the pace. Even as the Panthers closed the gap late, the Tigers never flinched.
Godfrey and Nick Davidson each finished with 14 points, while Butta Johnson added 10 to give Clemson four players in double figures — balance that proved decisive down the stretch.
Streaks Continue
The win marked Clemson’s 14th straight victory over Pittsburgh and kept the Tigers unbeaten in ACC play. Clemson now returns home to Littlejohn Coliseum for a Wednesday night matchup against SMU Mustangs, carrying both confidence and history into the next chapter of conference play.