CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — K.J. McDaniels scored a career-high 20 points and Clemson used a big first-half run to put away Stetson 71-51 Friday night, the Tigers 29th straight season-opening victory.
McDaniels scored his team’s first 11 points, and the Tigers used a 33-5 run the last 15 minutes of the opening half to lead 46-15 at the break. Stetson rallied in the second half, cutting Clemson’s lead to 65-49 in the final two minutes. But McDaniels connected on his fourth and final 3-pointer on the Tigers next trip down court to surpass his previous best of 17 points, which he last reached this past season against Virginia Tech.
McDaniels also had seven rebounds, tying Josh Smith for the team lead.
Aaron Graham led the Hatters with 11 points, all but one in the opening half.
Point guard Rod Hall added 11 points and Damarcus Harris 10 for the Tigers.
