Clemson’s men’s basketball team took a major step toward their ultimate goal on Wednesday night, securing a double bye in the upcoming ACC Tournament with an 83-68 victory over Notre Dame in South Bend.
The win not only handed the Tigers their 20th victory of the season, but it also marked their 15th ACC win of the season setting a program record. Thus solidifying their position among the top four teams in the ACC standings. With the result, Clemson earned an automatic spot in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament, set to begin on March 13 in Charlotte.
“It’s awesome to put ourselves in a great position to make a run in the tournament,” Schieffelin said of the victory. “We’re just taking it one step at a time.”
Schieffelin was the star of the night, delivering a career-high 24 points in a dominant performance. The sophomore forward shot 9-of-11 from the field, including two three-pointers, while adding nine rebounds to fall just short of a double-double. His offensive explosion, which came after the Tigers endured a six-minute scoring drought in the first half, sparked Clemson’s resurgence.
“Don’t pass up good looks, shooting where I get the ball, and just picking it up where it’s needed. That’s kind of been my role all year, kind of doing the dirty work and finding ways to win. I guess today was my turn to make some shots,” Schieffelin said, reflecting on his mindset throughout the game.
Schieffelin’s personal scoring surge included 10 consecutive points, propelling the Tigers to a 20-9 run that gave them a 41-31 lead at the halftime break. With Schieffelin carrying the load, the Tigers managed to maintain control throughout the second half and steadily pulled away from the Fighting Irish.
Aside from Schieffelin’s career night, several other Tigers contributed in key moments. Viktor Lakhin, who has emerged as one of the team’s most consistent players, added 18 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Jake Heidbreder, coming off the bench, provided a spark with 14 points, including a crucial stretch of scoring in the second half that kept the Tigers comfortably ahead.
Despite a slow start, the Tigers showed resilience, answering the call when it was needed most. Their depth and defensive effort allowed them to control the pace of the game, holding off a Notre Dame rally in the second half and finishing strong to secure the win.
Schieffelin’s milestone on the night wasn’t limited to just his scoring performance. The forward surpassed 1,000 career points in the victory, an achievement that underscores his growth as a player during his time at Clemson. His all-around game – combining scoring, rebounding, and leadership – was critical to the Tigers’ success in this pivotal matchup.
While the victory over Notre Dame was significant, the Tigers are already looking ahead to their next challenge. Clemson will face a tough road test on Saturday when they travel to Charlottesville to take on Virginia. With the Cavaliers ranked near the top of the ACC, the matchup promises to be a difficult one for the Tigers, but they are focused on continuing their momentum.
Saturday’s game against Virginia will tip off at noon and be broadcast on ESPN2, with Clemson hoping to keep its strong play rolling as they prepare for the ACC Tournament next month.
As the Tigers approach the final stretch of the regular season, their sights are firmly set on a deep run in the ACC Tournament and beyond, with the ultimate goal of an NCAA Tournament bid in mind.
With the performance shown in South Bend, Clemson is well on its way to making that dream a reality.
