Share on LinkedIn

MEMPHIS, TN (FOX Carolina) - No. 6 seed Clemson avoids the upset with an emphatic win over No. 11 New Mexico.

After watching the other three six seeds fall in the first day of the tournament, Clemson won in dominant fashion 77-56.

The win is the first for Clemson in the NCAA Tournament since 2018 when Brad Brownell led the Tigers to a Sweet 16 appearance.

The Lobos riding a four-game winning streak after running the table at the Mountain West Conference Tournament. The Tigers on a different streak. They had lost their last two and suited up for just their second game in nearly two weeks when they took the court Friday.

After the Lobos took the initial lead Clemson responded strongly in the First Round matchup, building a lead with a 7-0 run to pull ahead 18-8 with just under 14 minutes to play in the first half.

The Tigers built on that lead with a series of strong runs. Holding the Lobos scoreless for more than four minutes during the first half and outscoring them 19-2 during a more than five-minute run. They led by as many as 19 at one point first half and 14 at the break.

PJ Hall led the Tigers at the break with 12 points with five other Tigers each adding six a piece.

Clemson kept the pressure on in the second half with a 9-2 run to open the final frame of regulation. Ian Schieffelin and Chase Hunter both contributed to build a 51-30 lead.

Hunter would continue to be a driving force for the Tigers second half as they pushed their lead back to 20 with just over nine minutes to play. A lead they maintained a majority of the remainder of the game.

Hunter ended the game with 21 points and six assists.