Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Tribune News Service
Tribune News Service
Sport
Ben Breiner

Clemson starts hot, knocks out New Mexico State

Clemson basketball hadn't reached the NCAA Tournament since the first year of Brad Brownell's tenure in 2011.

Seems the Tigers had been saving up the made shots since then.

Clemson shot 55.5 percent as it topped New Mexico State, 79-68, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in San Diego. It was only the second tournament win for the Tigers (24-9) since 1997, the first not counting the First Four.

Clemson will face Auburn at 7:10 pm Eastern on Sunday.

Shelton Mitchell posted 23 points and Gabe DeVoe added 20 for Clemson.

The Tigers held the Aggies (28-6) to 38.7 percent shooting, just above 40 percent inside the arc.

Clemson won a First Four game in Brownell's first season, but the last win before that was during the Sweet 16 run under Rick Barnes.

The lead got as high as 18 Friday, but New Mexico State kept things from getting too out of hand.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.