GREENVILLE, S.C. (Interstat) — In a display of offensive efficiency and defensive pressure, the Clemson Tigers methodically dispatched the North Alabama Lions 81-61 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Monday night at a sparse Bi-Lo Center.

A first-half offensive explosion set the tone for the Tigers, who improved to 4-1 on the young season. The Lions, meanwhile, saw their record dip to 2-3 despite a more competitive second-half performance.

Clemson seized control of the contest from the opening tip, building a commanding 45-22 lead by halftime. The Tigers’ offense operated with precision, scoring 81 points on just 64 possessions for a stellar offensive rating of 125.6. North Alabama, by contrast, managed only 61 points from 61 possessions, an offensive rating of 99.8, and struggled to find any consistent rhythm against Clemson’s length and activity.

The statistical sheet illustrated Clemson’s dominance. The Tigers shot 44 percent from the floor compared to the Lions’ 37 percent. While both teams launched a high volume of three-pointers, Clemson was more effective, connecting on 11 of 35 attempts. North Alabama made just 7 of 28 from beyond the arc. Clemson also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 16 of 20 attempts, while the Lions went 10 for 15.

RJ Godfrey led all scorers for Clemson, pouring in 16 points in 28 minutes of action. The 6-foot-8 forward from Suwanee, Georgia, also contributed three assists and two blocks, anchoring the Tigers’ interior presence. He was complemented by backcourt mates Zac Foster and Ace Buckner. Foster, a 6-foot-4 guard from Atlanta, tallied 14 points and a game-high six assists, while Buckner, from Dallas, chipped in eight points and two assists.

For North Alabama, Kevin de Kovachich provided a bright spot. The 6-foot-4 guard from Montreal led the Lions with 12 points in 24 minutes. Donte Bacchus, a 6-foot-7 forward from Homewood, Alabama, added 10 points in a team-high 30 minutes on the floor.

The game’s flow was established early. After North Alabama’s Kevin de Kovachich opened the scoring with a three-pointer, Clemson responded with a 15-2 run, fueled by inside scoring from Carter Welling and the playmaking of Foster and Godfrey. The Tigers’ lead ballooned to 23 points by the under-12-minute media timeout and never dipped below 20 for the remainder of the half. A late three-pointer from Ace Buckner just before the halftime buzzer sent Clemson into the locker room with a 45-22 advantage.

The second half saw North Alabama play with more energy, outscoring Clemson 39-36. The Lions managed to cut the deficit to 15 points on multiple occasions, but each time the Tigers had an answer, often from Godfrey or a timely three-pointer from Foster or Dallas Thomas, who scored all six of his points from long range.

Clemson’s defense was a key factor, forcing 11 turnovers while committing only seven. The Tigers also recorded six blocks and five steals, disrupting North Alabama’s offensive sets. The Lions did manage to win the battle on the glass, grabbing 13 offensive rebounds to Clemson’s 17, but they were unable to consistently convert those second chances into points.

Clemson’s balanced attack and stout defense proved too much for North Alabama to overcome. The Tigers now look ahead to a matchup against West Virginia on Friday in Charleston, South Carolina. North Alabama will travel to face Chattanooga on Saturday as they continue their non-conference slate.