Clemson surges to claim a double-digit comeback victory

It might not have looked pretty at times for Brad Brownell’s team, but in the end, Clemson pulled out the comeback victory over WVU.

Late-game heroics from forward Carter Welling propelled Clemson to a 70-67 win over a previously undefeated WVU. The transfer from Utah Valley, Welling scored nine straight points for the Tigers in the last three minutes and change of the game.  

Along with Welling, four other Clemson players finished with double-digit points. Jestin Porter Jr. and RJ Godfrey tied for the leading scorers for Clemson, both putting up 14 points on the night. Welling and guard Dillon Hunter both finished with 13 points, and guard Butta Johnson finished the game with 11 points.

Welling added eight rebounds, two assists, and one block in 24 minutes of action. He also shot 4-of-7 from the floor (57.1%) and 2-of-3 (66.6%) from the three-point line. Godfrey was arguably the player of the game, filling up the stat sheet with six rebounds, three assists, and three blocks to go along with his 14 points on the night. Godfrey also shot 6-of-8 (75%) from the floor.

Hunter showcased his ability to drive, get to the rim, and collapse the defense in the second half. His ability to get past WVU’s defense opened up shots for his teammates as he finished with a team-high of four assists on the night (tied with WVU’s Jenkins for a game-high).

With 10:57 left in the second half, freshman guard Amir Jenkins made his second free throw to make it a 52-41 lead for WVU. The 11-point lead that WVU built up over the first part of the second half, Clemson kept clawing back in and ultimately used a surge from Welling to complete the 11-point second-half comeback against WVU.

Clemson dominated the points in paint, outscoring WVU 32-22 in the paint. Using the height and the skill of the big men, Welling, Godfrey, and Wahlin, WVU could not do much to stop the frontcourt of Clemson.

Head coach Brownell used more five-man hockey-style line changes to bring fresh legs into the game. Subbing the entire floor off the court left Brownell the opportunity to keep setting the full-court pressure, at least trying to slow down WVU’s offense and use more of the shot clock.

Winning a contest that felt like an NCAA Tournament game, Clemson showed great poise and perseverance to pull off the 11-point second-half comeback. This win will build up the Tigers to give a great experience of playing a tough, gritty, tightly contested game.