Clemson Men’s Basketball Defeats North Alabama 81–61 | Game Recap and Analysis
CLEMSON, S.C. — The Clemson Tigers opened the night on fire and never looked back, handing the North Alabama Lions an 81–61 defeat at Littlejohn Coliseum. By halftime, Clemson had built a commanding 45–22 lead, fueled by crisp ball-movement, strong bench play, and aggressive offensive control.
Despite a second-half cooling off, Clemson maintained enough separation to close it out comfortably. North Alabama showed resilience after the break, but they couldn’t overcome the early deficit. The Tigers improved to 4–1 on the season, while the Lions dropped to 2–3.
Star Players
RJ Godfrey: The reserve guard led the Tigers in scoring with 16 points, while also contributing six rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and a steal. His all-around effort was a stabilizer for Clemson.
Zac Foster: The freshman made a visible impact, pouring in 14 points and dishing a season-high six assistswithout turning the ball over, showcasing his playmaking and maturity.
Carter Welling: Chipping in 13 points and grabbing nine boards, Welling showed strength inside and helped control the glass.
Jake Wahlin: The big man gave Clemson a boost on the boards with 11 rebounds, including several offensive boards that helped fuel second-chance opportunities.
Areas for Improvement
Second-Half Shooting Consistency: After an efficient 50% first half, Clemson dropped to just 35.7% from the field in the second stanza. That kind of swing could be problematic against tougher ACC competition.
Shot Selection: In the later half of the game, the team attempted 27 three-pointers, making only 8. The reliance on jumpers over attacking the rim limited their efficiency.
Maintaining Intensity: While the blowout win was impressive, Clemson’s drop-off after halftime suggests they need to stay locked in for a full 40 minutes, especially when facing more disciplined opponents.
Final Thoughts
Clemson’s win over North Alabama was a positive step — a dominant opening half, strong contributions from the bench, and solid depth. But the second-half scoring slump raises legitimate questions about consistency. If the Tigers are going to make noise in the ACC, they'll need to avoid going cold after building a lead. Still, with young talent like Foster and strong interior play from Welling and Wahlin, the pieces are there for something special.
