Viktor Lakhin and Chase Hunter each scored 19 points and Clemson rallied late to post a 75-62 win over visiting Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday night. The Tigers (3-0) found themselves trailing by four, 54-50, with 12:50 left in the game after Mayar Wol knocked down a 3-pointer to cap a 10-2 spurt by Eastern Kentucky. However, it was all Clemson from there, with Del Jones and Hunter each hitting a trey as the hosts scored 21 of the next 23 points to open up a commanding 71-56 advantage with 2:04 to play.
Eastern Kentucky had just four field goals over the game's final 12:49. Lakhin complemented his point total with 12 rebounds and three blocks for the Tigers, who forced the Colonels into 10 second-half turnovers. Ian Schieffelin chipped in 13 points and nine boards for the game as Clemson outshot Eastern Kentucky 45.
9 percent to 42.6 percent from the field. The Tigers also had a sizable advantage at the free-throw line, going 12-for-19 compared to the Colonels' 4-for-5 mark.
Devontae Blanton paced Eastern Kentucky with a game-high 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting. He also had six rebounds. Wol was the only other Colonel to score in double figures, finishing with 12 points to go along with six boards.
It was a close game early, with Eastern Kentucky pulling within a point at 11-10 on a Jordan Crawford 3-pointer with 15:51 remaining in the first half. Clemson answered with a 7-0 run that included a Hunter dunk and 3-pointer. The Colonels later moved in front thanks to a string of 12 .