Imagine a thrilling college basketball showdown where a coach reaches a monumental milestone, all while his team battles back from a deficit to secure a hard-fought victory. That’s exactly what happened on December 13, 2025, when Clemson edged out Mercer 70-63, handing head coach Brad Brownell his 300th win with the Tigers. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: this wasn’t just any win—it was a testament to resilience, as Clemson bounced back from consecutive losses to top-ranked teams, No. 10 BYU and No. 12 Alabama, to secure this victory.
Dillon Hunter emerged as the hero of the night, scoring 10 of his 15 points in the second half to fuel Clemson’s comeback. His performance was pivotal in overtaking Mercer, who had led for much of the game. And this is the part most people miss: Clemson’s bench played a crucial role, outscoring Mercer’s reserves 22-6, proving that depth can be a game-changer in tight contests. Nick Davidson chipped in 12 points, while Jestin Porter and Zac Foster each added 10, showcasing the Tigers’ balanced attack. RJ Godfrey’s nine points and eight rebounds provided the hustle Clemson needed to grind out the win.
For Mercer, the story was bittersweet. The Bears saw their impressive five-game win streak come to an end despite a strong effort. Memphis transfer Baraka Okojie led the charge with 20 points, while Zaire Williams and Armani Mighty contributed 15 and 10 points, respectively. Mercer even held a 58-55 lead with eight minutes left, but then went nearly seven minutes without a field goal—a drought Clemson exploited with a 10-0 run, six of those points coming from Porter.
Here’s where it gets controversial: Did Mercer’s late-game scoring drought stem from fatigue, or was it Clemson’s defensive adjustments that sealed their fate? The Bears managed to close the gap to four points with 32 seconds remaining, but Clemson iced the game with three clutch free throws. Mercer’s 64% shooting in the first half had given them a 39-33 halftime lead, but they couldn’t sustain that momentum in the second half.
With this win, Brownell improved to 300-199 at Clemson and an impressive 467-284 overall. Looking ahead, Mercer will aim to rebound when they face UCF on Wednesday, while Clemson hosts South Carolina on Tuesday in what promises to be another intense matchup.
What’s your take? Was Clemson’s bench the real MVP of this game, or did Mercer’s late-game struggles cost them the win? Let us know in the comments below! For more college basketball updates and AP Top 25 polls, sign up for alerts here: AP Newsletters and download the AP News mobile app. Stay tuned to the action at AP College Basketball.
