Jestin Porter scored 18 points and reserve Butta Johnson racked up seven of his 13 points in overtime as Clemson took down Georgia 97-94 in the Charleston Classic’s Palmetto bracket final Sunday afternoon in Charleston, S.C.
Dillon Hunter notched 16 points and RJ Godfrey had 12 points as Clemson won its second tight game in three days in the tournament. Zac Foster and Carter Welling both had 11 points for the Tigers (6-1).
Jeremiah Wilkinson poured in 26 points for Georgia (6-1), while Blue Cain had 19 points and Somtochukwu Cyril added 11 points. Cain’s 3-pointer drew the Bulldogs to within 95-94 with six seconds left.
Hunter followed Cain’s three with two free throws before Wilkinson missed a desperation shot at the end.
Clemson never trailed in overtime, with Johnson’s 3-point basket pushing its lead to 88-83. Hunter made all four of his free-throw attempts in the final 30 seconds.
Welling, the late-game hero Friday versus West Virginia, scored a go-ahead basket with 5:26 remaining in regulation. Johnson scored on Clemson’s next possession to push the Tigers’ edge to 76-72.
Jordan Ross’ drive for a bucket got Georgia even at 76-76. Hunter hit a pair of free throws before Georgia tied it again on Wilkinson’s basket.
Jake Wahlin’s free throws at the 22-second mark put Clemson back on top before Kareem Stagg equalized with a dunk with 12 seconds to play. Hunter missed a would-be winning shot.
Clemson shot 11-for-25 on 3-pointers, compared to Georgia’s 9-for-30 mark. Porter drained four treys.
Wilkinson shot 9-for-15 from the field, hitting two 3-pointers.
The Tigers held a 45-35 rebounding advantage.
Both teams led by as many as 10 points, including Clemson at 57-47 following a Porter 3-pointer, before the score was knotted at 62-62.
–Field Level Media
