Chestnut Hill, MA — Jaeden Zackery made a triumphant return to Chestnut Hill, scoring 21 points against his former team and sinking a crucial three-pointer to halt a Boston College comeback. His performance helped No. 11 Clemson secure a 78-69 win over the Eagles on Wednesday night.
Chase Hunter contributed 18 points, while Viktor Lakhin recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds, as the Tigers (25-5, 17-2 ACC) extended their winning streak to seven games.
For Boston College (12-18, 4-15 ACC), Jayden Hastings led the way with 18 points.
Game Recap:
Clemson built a commanding 16-point lead in the first half and maintained a 62-53 advantage midway through the second. However, Boston College responded with a 7-0 run, trimming the deficit to just two points. The Tigers quickly regained control when Lakhin powered in a basket inside, followed by Zackery’s clutch corner three to push the lead back to seven, stopping the Eagles’ momentum.
Takeaways:
- Clemson: The Tigers have suffered only two regulation losses this season, with their only defeat in the last two months coming in a triple-overtime thriller against Georgia Tech.
- Boston College: The Eagles have secured a bottom-three finish in the ACC, ensuring they will miss the conference tournament.
Key Moment:
Before tipoff, Zackery embraced former coach Earl Grant, a poignant moment as he faced the team he played for over three seasons before transferring.
Key Stat:
Clemson was red-hot from beyond the arc in the first half, hitting 6-of-10 three-pointers but cooled off in the second, making just 2-of-10 attempts.
What’s Next:
Clemson will conclude its regular season at home against Virginia Tech on Saturday, while Boston College travels to Pittsburgh for its final game.
