Jaeden Zackery played 102 games in a Boston College uniform and spent countless hours in Conte Forum. And on Wednesday night, he took over yet another game on his former home floor—this time for No. 11 Clemson (25-5, 17-2 ACC), leading the Tigers to a gritty 78-69 win over his former team.
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Zackery, who transferred from Boston College to Clemson this past offseason, made sure his homecoming was one to remember.
He knocked down big shot after big shot, finishing with 21 points—just one shy of his career high—on 7-of-12 shooting, including two 3-pointers. He also added three rebounds and a steal.
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The game got tight late, but Clemson’s experience took over.
Boston College cut the lead to 62-60 with 10:51 remaining after a personal 7-0 run by Dion Brown, who finished with 14 points—double his season average.
But the Tigers had a response.
Zackery drilled a key 3-pointer as part of a 7-0 run that stretched the lead back out.
Boston College still wouldn’t go away, clawing back to within three points with 5:32 left.
Then, the Eagles picked the worst possible time to go ice cold, failing to score for the remainder of the game.
That scoring drought allowed Clemson to take control and secure its eighth straight ACC road win.
Despite being mathematically eliminated from ACC Tournament contention last weekend, the Eagles (12-18, 4-15 ACC) played like they had something to prove.
They trailed by as many as 16 in the first half but kept chipping away behind freshman Jayden Hastings. He doubled his previous career high with 18 points on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting night, though he struggled from the free-throw line in crunch time, going 2-of-6.
Clemson looked in control early, shooting 59.4% from the field in the first half, including six 3-pointers. The Tigers led by 16 at one point and went into the break up 49-39—tying their season high for first-half points.
Turnovers nearly cost them in the second half. Clemson had just two giveaways in the first half but committed 11 in the second against Boston College’s full court pressure.
The Tigers finished with 13 turnovers compared to Boston College’s seven, but the Eagles couldn’t take full advantage, scoring just nine points off those mistakes.
Chase Hunter, who has been nursing a calf injury in recent weeks, looked back to his usual self. He finished with 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including two 3-pointers, while adding three assists and two steals.
His presence, along with Zackery’s, provided the steadying force Clemson needed late.
The Tigers also dominated the paint. Viktor Lakhin recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds, while Ian Schieffelin added 13 points and eight boards.
Clemson out-rebounded Boston College 43-26, which proved to be a difference-maker.
The Tigers finished shooting an even 50% from the floor (29-of-58) and 40% (8-of-20) from deep while going 12-of-16 (75%) from the free-throw line.
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The Eagles shot 25-of-60 (41.7%) from the field and 6-of-18 (33.3%) from beyond the arc while going 13-of-18 (72.2%) from the charity stripe.
Head coach Brad Brownell improved to 14-6 all-time against Boston College and 3-3 against Eagles coach Earl Grant, his former assistant.
Clemson will close out the regular season Saturday against Virginia Tech at Littlejohn Coliseum, with tipoff set for 6 p.m. on ESPNU.
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