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.