PJ Hall recorded a career-high 29 points to go along with nine rebounds on Friday, lifting host Clemson to a 90-69 victory over Alcorn State.
Hall made 11 of 18 shots from the floor to notch his 16th straight double-digit scoring performance dating back to last season. His point total on Friday eclipsed his previous career high of 28, set in the Tigers' 83-73 loss to Louisville on Feb. 18, 2023.
Chase Hunter contributed 18 points and seven assists for Clemson (5-0), which shot 48.6 percent from the floor (34 of 70) and 37.9 percent from 3-point range (11 of 29).
Joe Girard III joined Hunter with three 3-pointers and finished with 13 points for his third straight strong performance. He made five 3-pointers in the Tigers' 68-65 win over Davidson on Nov. 12 and added a season-high 23 points in an 85-68 victory over Boise State last Sunday.
Alcorn State's Jeremiah Gambrell sank three 3-pointers and finished with 17 points. Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt scored 13 points and Dekedran Thorn and Djahi Binet each added 12 for the Braves (1-7), who dropped their sixth straight game despite shooting 50.0 percent from the floor (26 of 52).
Binet made a layup and Gabrell added a jumper to bring Alcorn State within six at 38-32 with 2:40 to play in the first half. Girard answered with a four-point play and a 3-pointer on consecutive possessions as Clemson scored 10 of the final 15 points to take a 48-37 lead at intermission.
Hunter converted a three-point play and Hall sank a straight-away 3-pointer to begin the second half. Thorn briefly halted the momentum with a jumper and a 3-pointer, however Hall followed with a layup, a jumper and a 3-pointer.
Alcorn State pulled within 13 after a pair of free throws by Binet before Hall calmly sank a jumper and Ian Schieffelin added a dunk to boost the Tigers' lead to 70-53 with 9:57 left.
Hall set a career-high point total after making a layup with 3:18 remaining in the second half to give Clemson an 86-65 advantage.
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